Germany’s Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation has provided US$2.3 million for the implementation of a new food security and sustainable alternative livelihood project in Oudomxay province.
Mr Kou Chansina (right) shakes hands with Mr Leik Boonwaat after the signing ceremony.
A signing ceremony took place in Vientiane yesterday to promote understanding and strengthen partnerships in the implementation of the project ‘Increasing Food Security and Promoting Licit Crop Production and Small Farmer Enterprise Development in Laos and Myanmar’, according to a press release issued by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The project was co-signed by Vice Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) Mr Kou Chansina, UNODC representative Mr Leik Boonwaat, Deputy Head of the German Embassy to Laos Mr Wolfgang Thoran, and UNODC’s Vienna Chief of Sustainable Livelihood Unit Mr Jorge Rios.
The project’s aim is to increase food security and agricultural production, develop small farmer enterprise and local entrepreneurship as well as sustain opium reduction in 50 targeted villages in Xay, La and Houn districts.
The two and a half year project will be implemented jointly by UNODC and the Lao government through the coordination of LCDC and with full participation by Oudomxay provincial, district and local authorities.
The project also incorporates improvement of food security and agricultural production, development of small f armers’ associations, cooperatives and local entrepreneurship, prevention of opium production and consumption through intensive awareness campaigns, provision of treatment service and local capacity building for drug prevention and monitoring.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kou said the Lao government gave high priority to illicit drug problems and has committed to the implementation of the New Drug Control Master Plan for the period 2009-2013.
With regards to opium production he said Laos had achieved significant reduction in opium poppy cultivation in cooperation with UNODC and the international community.
“Opium production in Laos has declined more than 90 percent in the past 10 years from more than 160 tonnes in the past to less than 10 tonnes at present,” Mr Kou said.
“We have to continue our efforts to sustain this reduction through the provision of alternative livelihood to existing and former opium poppy growing communities to alleviate their poverty and ensure food security. This will also help to prevent the re-cultivation of opium poppies.”
Germany’s Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation also provided US$1.8 million through LCDC and UNODC to implement a similar project in 30 targeted villages in Khua and Mai districts in Phongsaly province, which began in June last year and will run until 2010.
By Phaisythong Chandara
December 01 , 2009
Vientiane Times
