On Thursday, Dec 22, Deputy Governor of Viengphoukha district, Luang Namtha Province, Phoumone Khounsiliheuang, and Ambassador of India to Laos Dinkar Asthana attended a groundbreaking ceremony of a project aiming to increase organic coffee production and diversify local economy.
Capacity building of villagers of Namvang, Viengphouka district, Luang Namtha Province is also part of the project.
Representatives of Luang Namtha provincial authorities were also present. The project is being undertaken under grant assistance from the Government of India under the Quick Impact Project (QIP) Scheme of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC).
The project aims to create sustainable alternatives for shifting cultivation (slash & burn) and mono-cropping which are common agriculture practices of the communities in the uplands of Luang Namtha Province.
The project will enhance the quality of coffee production and also diversify the village economy through the planting of various fruits and nut trees to serve as shade trees for the coffee in the fields.
Speaking at the occasion, the Ambassador noted that this project will bring happiness and economic prosperity to the villagers.
He hoped that the project would be completed quickly and quick completion of the project will further strengthen the existing excellent bilateral cooperation between India and Laos.
India has taken up many Quick Impact Projects in Laos in the areas of health, education, drinking water facility, agriculture, etc. in remote far-flung areas across many provinces of the country.
Out of these, some projects have been completed and remaining projects are at an advanced stage of implementation. The projects reach out to and benefit the grassroots.
Deputy Governor of Viengphoukha District Phoumone Khounsiliheuang appreciated in his remarks the grant assistance from India for the implementation of the project in the agriculture sector which is an important sector for socioeconomic development of the Lao PDR and mentioned that about 35 families will benefit directly from the project.

Source: Lao News Agency