(KPL)Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supported the implementation of quick impact projects worth USD 276.971 with line ministries and partners in the Lao PDR.

The projects aimed at having direct impact on the population and immediate benefits in the Lao PDR.

The Republic of Turkiye last month provided 30 tonnes of climate resilient rice seeds to the Khammouane and Bolikhamsay Provinces that had been affected by the flood in the previous months. 20 tons of rice seeds were distributed to the Khammuan Province and 10 tons of rice seeds were distributed to Bolikhamsai Province.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kikeo Singnavong, Governor of Khammouan Province Vanhxay Phongsavanh, Governor of Bolikhamsay Province  Kongkeo Xaysongkham,  and  Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Laos Orhan Isik attended the handover ceremony.

TİKA supports the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR through the project of dissemination of climate resilient rice seeds to cope with climate change by purchasing rice seeds from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and the Rice and Cash Crop Research Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The rice seeds distributed within the project were reproduced from seven types of climate resilient rice.These are second-generation seeds that will be planted to produce third-generation seeds on a field of 500 hectares in the 2023-2024 season.

As a result, high-efficiency and climate resilient rice seeds will be used on a field of 25,000 hectares in the 2024 season. Within the scope of the project carried out by TİKA, the goal is to increase agricultural efficiency, enhance food security and support urban communities in the country.

Within the scope of the project efficiency of rice production is expected to be increased by 20% and the income of the farmers by 10%.

KPL