(KPL) The Lao People's Democratic Republic has made significant progress towards achieving food security and reducing rural poverty and has strong potential to move towards sustainable food systems, according to the assessment of the food system reported on Oct 26.

 Stunting and underweight in children below five years of age have decreased in recent years; self-sufficiency has been achieved in rice production at the national level; very high-quality food products are recognized and appreciated by domestic and global consumers, such as Khao kai noi rice, Boloven coffee, and Phongsaly tea; food production is still largely based on small-scale subsistence rice farming systems; rich natural resources (forests, waterways, biodiversity, minerals, and natural landscapes) underpin the country’s green and clean potential; opening up to markets has led to increased exports to neighboring countries, such as China, Thailand, and Viet Nam, contributing to national growth.

The recently developed Laos-China railway will increase linkages with the Chinese market, offering one of the youngest populations in South-East Asia like the Lao PDR with a promising future for the agricultural sector and rural development, and a large labor force.

The assessment was part of a joint initiative launched by the European Union (EU), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the French research center for agricultural development, CIRAD, in cooperation with governments. Its purpose was to identify key constraints and entry points for innovative policy and investment solutions to make food systems more sustainable and inclusive.

During the announcement workshop, Mr. Sypaphay Xaisongkham, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, congratulated the tripartite efforts, namely the EU, FAO and CIRAD, to join forces to help end hunger in the Lao PDR, while reaching its potential.

 “We recognize the daunting tasks we have in front of us, such as protecting the environment while also needing to improve the livelihoods and health of the most vulnerable, particularly in rural areas. For this reason, we are grateful to be working with all stakeholders to move forward on the ideas and recommendations put forward in this report and note the importance of this work done at the policy formulation stage,” said Mr. Sypaphay Xaisongkham.

“We look forward to building on these opportunities and simultaneously and sustainably transforming food systems and the quality of life for all in this country,” he added.

Food systems as currently operating are unable to fulfill their purpose of providing nutritious and healthy food for all and contributing to enhanced livelihood opportunities in an environmentally sustainable way. They are being challenged by several factors, including changing diets, technology, urbanization and climate change.

There may be enough food to potentially feed everyone - preventing the dual health burdens of malnutrition and obesity-, however, the economic and territorial imbalances are such that food systems do not generate fair economic returns for all actors, particularly for small-scale producers, triggering an endless cycle of precariousness and poverty. They need transforming if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

 “The Lao PDR has no doubt made significant progress in recent years towards achieving food security. Yet, the report launched today demands for a system perspective for Lao PDR to address the challenges identified and come up with viable and holistic solutions,” noted Mr. Nasar Hayat, FAO Representative to the Lao PDR.

. “Only when the main challenges of food systems in the Lao PDR are acknowledged, possible solutions to make them more sustainable and inclusive could be realized with a real transformation of the country’s food systems”, he added.

Using a holistic approach, the assessment gathered a wide range of food system actors in the Lao PDR through a consultation process during which they shared views on key issues and challenges and analyzed potential solutions. The result of this consultation process is presented in the country profile just published. It will serve as a basis to prioritize interventions in key areas of the food system. To enhance the sustainability of the country’s food systems, the following should be considered when formulating policies:

○          improve the national diet quality by supporting diversified farming systems, while limiting the spread of unsafe processed foods.

○          encourage good practices and strengthen inspections and controls in processing and along the supply chain, while improving public awareness to reduce consumption of unsafe food;

○          support innovations and skills to build clean agricultural systems and sustainable food chains, while ending the promotion of unsustainable cash crops (monocultures); and

○          improve the capability of vulnerable farmers to be more resilient to climate events and economic shocks through diversified farming systems and market outlets.

KPL