Lao PDR Kicks Off 2025 Irrigation Forum, Focuses on GIS Innovation

05/06/2025 13:38

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ຂປລ The Department of Irrigation (DOI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), convened the first stakeholder forum of the Irrigation Sub-Sector Working Group for 2025 in Vientiane.

(KPL)The Department of Irrigation (DOI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), convened the first stakeholder forum of the Irrigation Sub-Sector Working Group for 2025 in Vientiane.

The forum is part of the ongoing coordination mechanism supporting MAF’s Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Working Group.

The forum was co-chaired by Mr. Khamphachanh Vongsana, Director General of the Department of Irrigation, and Ms. Shanny Campbell, ADB Country Director for the Lao PDR. Discussions focused on the development of the irrigation sector, with particular attention to the opportunities and potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve irrigation planning, management, and monitoring.

“Irrigation requires further development and improved management to ensure efficient water supply and use, and to expand irrigated areas,” said Mr. Khamphachanh. “Despite some progress, challenges remain—particularly in expanding irrigated land and accessing reliable data. The adoption of GIS technology, especially for database management, is both necessary and urgent.”

The Department of Irrigation reported that a total of 500,221 hectares were irrigated in 2024—313,753 hectares during the rainy season and 182,468 hectares during the dry season—surpassing the national target of 495,000 hectares set for 2025.

Ms. Campbell emphasized the value of the forum as a collaborative platform: “This forum allows key stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners to exchange insights on how to effectively adopt and utilize advanced GIS tools. As we work together to improve water governance, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience, GIS provides powerful capabilities to plan, manage, monitor, and maintain irrigation systems more effectively.”

The integration of GIS offers a unique opportunity to modernize the irrigation sector, empower data-driven decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately enhance the livelihoods of farming communities across Lao PDR.

KPL

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