Food security a priority for Oudomxay's former opium farmers
The German government has funded more than 12 billion kip (US$1.5 million) through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue the Increasing Food Security and Promoting Licit Crop Production and Small Farmer Enterprise Development project in Oudomxay province.
Mr Soubanh Srithirath ( right ) shakes hands with Mr Leik Boonwaat after signing the agreement.
The project document was signed yesterday in Vientiane by Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision Mr Soubanh Srithirath, representing the Lao government, and Deputy Regional Representative for UNODC Mr Leik Boonwaat.
Witnessing the signing ceremony were Chargé d'Affaires of the German Embassy to Laos Mr Wolfgang Thoran, rice Governor of Oudomxay province and Chairman of the provincial Committee for Drug Control Mr Khampeng Chittavong, as well as representatives from concerned ministries, departments and international organisations.
The project will run for an initial two years, from early 2012 to the end of 2013, with the objective of continuously implementing a variety of activities in existing target villages and expanding activities to 17 new target villages in the districts of Xay, Houn and La.
The project aims to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for vulnerable people in former opium farming communities, as well as offer drug abuse treatment.
Once the project has been implemented and the objectives achieved as planned, it will contribute to reducing poverty among over 8,821 people in 1,434 households in the three districts.
