The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative to the Lao PDR – Mr Nasar Hayat – called on Phet Phomphiphak, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) on Apr 21.
Mr Hayat handed over a letter from the Director-General of FAO expressing his interest in the “Green Growth Economic Corridor” Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIHI); took the opportunity to brief the Minister on the selection of coffee for a new FAO initiative to be launched on May 10, 2022; and raised the issue of the impact of rising food, fuel and fertilizer prices on food security for the Lao PDR.
Mr Hayat delivered the Director-General’s letter on HIHI, noting he had met with the Lao PDR delegation at the recent 36th Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. The Minister thanked Mr Hayat and confirmed the importance of the initiative to the country and that the Ministry would continue to work closely with FAO.
Mr Hayat explained that coffee has been selected as the Lao PDR’s product for the “One Country One Priority Product” initiative to be launched at a regional online event on May 10. The aim of this new global initiative is to select and promote one product from each country that is recognised as having significant potential. Minister Phomphiphak expressed his delight with the initiative and the selection of coffee and confirmed FAO will have the Ministry’s support with senior attendance at the meeting.
During the meeting, the issue of the rising costs of food and agri product imports was raised by Mr Hayat. He outlined a plan for FAO to undertake analysis to better understand the impact on food security in the country. Minister Phomphiphak confirmed his Ministry’s support for this assessment, requested FAO continue to keep MAF involved, and expressed interest in seeing the short, medium and long term recommendations from the work.
Source: Lao News Agency