(KPL) The Agriculture for Nutrition Project Phase 2 will improve food security, nutrition, and household incomes for more than 28,000 disadvantaged families across six provinces by expanding climate-smart agriculture, as project partners reviewed 2025 progress and approved the 2026 work plan at a meeting held in Vientiane Capital on February 3, 2026.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Chanthakhon Boulaphan, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and Mr. Khamsaeng Ali, Vice Chairman of the Oudomxay Provincial Administrative Committee. Participants included vice chairmen of the Provincial Administrative Committees of Salavan, Sekong, and Attapeu provinces, along with representatives from relevant sectors.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Sisowath Phandanuvong, Central-Level Coordinator of the Agriculture for Nutrition Project Phase 2, said the review aimed to assess project implementation over the past year, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and jointly find timely solutions. He noted that the meeting also approved and unified the project’s 2026 work plan and budget to ensure effective implementation in target areas.

Mr. Sisowath emphasized that the project focuses on strengthening food security and nutrition, promoting climate-smart agricultural production, and increasing household incomes, with the goal of delivering sustainable benefits to 28,000 disadvantaged households by 2030.

He further explained that Phase 2 of the project covers six provinces, 20 districts, and 500 villages, including Phongsaly (5 districts), Oudomxay (4 districts), Xieng Khouang (2 districts), Sekong (3 districts), Salavan (3 districts), and Attapeu (3 districts). The project implementation period spans seven years, from 2023 to 2030.

The Agriculture for Nutrition Project Phase 2 is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with additional counterpart funding from the Lao government, beneficiary contributions, and private sector participation, bringing the total project budget to US$48.34 million.

The project comprises three main components: agricultural development and community-led natural resource management to improve production efficiency and nutrition; strengthened business partnerships and improved market access; and the creation of an enabling environment to support sustainable development.

Expected outcomes include improved household food security, more diverse diets—particularly for women—enhanced agricultural productivity, greater resilience to climate change, increased household incomes, and strengthened roles and empowerment of women and young women in rural communities.

KPL