VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the United Nations have launched a new US$4.5 million programme aimed at transforming food systems and strengthening climate resilience in two of the country’s most vulnerable northern provinces, benefiting more than 100,000 people over the next three years.
The United Nations Joint Programme on an Integrated Food Systems and Climate Resilience Approach in Laos was launched in Luang Prabang province on June 16-17.
The initiative is being implemented by the Department of Planning and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Laos.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Dr Boundet Soudthavilay, said the grant-funded programme, supported by the United Nations, has a total budget of US$4.5 million and will be implemented in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces from 2026 to 2028.
The programme is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 people, or approximately 20,000 households, through initiatives designed to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen communities’ resilience to climate-related shocks.
Dr Boundet said the programme will be implemented in close partnership with local authorities and communities, reflecting the understanding that food systems transformation is not solely an agricultural or environmental issue, but a critical pillar of national socio-economic development.
The initiative addresses a range of interconnected challenges facing northern Laos.
Despite ongoing efforts, one-third of children under the age of five continue to suffer from stunting, with little improvement recorded since 2017.
Stunting rates remain particularly high at 46 percent in Oudomxay province and 37 per cent in Luang Prabang province, contributing to economic losses estimated at 2.4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product annually.
The selection of Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces was based on these pressing development concerns.
Characterised by mountainous landscapes and reliance on rain-fed agriculture, the two provinces face increasing risks from floods, drought and soil erosion.
Rising food prices have further intensified the need to strengthen both climate resilience and household nutrition.
The programme also places strong emphasis on inclusive participation, recognising the ethnic diversity of the target provinces. Community engagement will be prioritised, particularly among women and youth, who play a central role in household nutrition and food security.
Dr Boundet noted that the initiative is not an externally driven project but a direct contribution to Laos’ national development priorities.
The programme is being launched alongside the National Action Plan for Food Systems Transformation (2025-2030) and will serve as a key mechanism for piloting the plan at the provincial level. - Vientiane Times/ANN
