The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) opened on May 30 a four-day agriculture innovation fair that will also include a series of panel discussions and presentations.
With agricultural innovation having huge potential in the Lao PDR to increase farmers’ incomes, improve food and nutrition security and allow for sustainable management of natural resources, the aim of the event is to provide a platform to highlight and exchange ideas and facilitate partnership between investors and policy makers.
More than 50 agriculture producers from throughout Laos have been invited to display and sell their agriculture products at the market fair.
Scheduled for May 30-Jun 2, the market fair constitutes a valuable opportunity to bring farmers’ groups and associations, smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs closer to consumers.
The fair will have booths where agricultural innovations, products and services can be showcased and allow for discussion around potential collaborations and the public is welcome to attend.
The fair will also host a series of presentations and panel discussions with a focus to be placed on research and development in agriculture innovation and capacity development.
The first discussion includes panelists representing a number of government departments, the private sector and farmers’ organizations to share views and discuss ways to improve agricultural innovation in the Lao PDR.
The second presentation aims to provide young farmers, researchers, students and entrepreneurs an opportunity to outline their stories and challenges in agricultural innovation to policymakers. A student debate and contest on ‘Our vision for agricultural innovation’ is also a highlight of this activity.
NAFRI will also chair a seminar presenting research reports on agriculture, forestry and rural development.
Source: Lao News Agency