(KPL) King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand on March 18 paid a royal visit to the Huay Son–Huay Sua Agriculture Development and Service Center in Naxaithong District, Vientiane.

Their Majesties and their delegation were warmly received by Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao PDR, along with his spouse and senior officials from both countries.

During the visit, Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, presented an overview of the center’s history and achievements.

Established on April 8, 1994, during the first state visit of King Bhumibol Adulyadej to Laos, the center has operated for more than three decades as a comprehensive agricultural development hub under a royal initiative.

Over the past 32 years, the project has delivered notable results across multiple sectors. These include the construction of the Huay Son Reservoir, with a capacity of over 2 million cubic meters, providing irrigation to approximately 580 hectares of farmland in eight surrounding villages.

The center has also advanced land development through soil improvement techniques, the cultivation of vetiver grass for erosion control, and the production of organic compost and bio-fertilizers. In addition, it has expanded crop and livestock production, including high-quality rice seeds, fruit trees, vegetables, fish fingerlings, and livestock for distribution to farmers nationwide.

Community development has been a key focus, with the establishment of “model families” practicing integrated farming systems that have significantly improved household incomes. The center also plays an important role in human resource development, providing technical training and knowledge transfer to more than 1,500 individuals each year.

Officials highlighted that the project stands as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Laos and Thailand, rooted in the shared vision of Kaysone Phomvihane and King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Looking ahead, the center aims to continue serving as a model for modern agricultural learning, strengthen bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development, and further promote the long-standing “good neighbor” relationship between the two nations.

At the conclusion of the visit, Their Majesties, together with President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse, toured an exhibition showcasing the center’s achievements and the New Theory Agriculture initiative. The leaders also participated in a ceremonial tree-planting activity, symbolizing the enduring ties between Laos and Thailand.

KPL