FINANCING AGROCHEMICALS REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (FARM) IN LAO PDR

Summary:

UNDP Lao PDR is working with the Department of Agriculture (DOA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) to strengthen regulatory, policy and investment frameworks for use of agrochemicals in the agricultural sector, improve access to low-non-chemical pest control alternatives, and improve access to financing environmentally sound management of hazardous pesticide and agriculture waste, including plastics in Lao PDR.  

The project will be implemented in Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xiengkhuang, Bolikhamxay Province and Vientiane Capital from December 2023 until December 2027 with a total budget of 4,200,000 USD.  It is aligned with the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, Outcome 4, Output 1: Natural resources sustainably used and managed. 

Background:

Lao PDR is a landlocked country in the heart of Southeast Asia. Only about 10% of the land area is used for agriculture, but it is a sector that provides livelihoods for 70% of the population yet only contributes to 30% of the GDP. While agriculture is the foundation for improving livelihoods and creating new opportunities, it also brings about noticeable social and environmental impacts. This limits the competitiveness of the sector while endangering human health and ecosystems due to the extensive use of agrochemicals, poor waste disposal practices, and deterioration of watersheds. In addition, the sector’s vulnerability to the impact of climate change and natural disasters and limited access to financial services for the rural poor exacerbate the threats to lives and livelihoods in rural areas. 

The Government of Lao PDR is taking appropriate measures to tackle these challenges and there is a need to further strengthen the policy and regulatory environment for sustainable agricultural practices by introducing and scaling up agroecological approaches such as integrated farming and integrated pest management (IPM). This, in turn, will reduce the demand for harmful pesticides and, at the same time, reduce the risk and uncertainties for public and private investment in the sector.  

Project Expected Outcomes:

The project aims to achieve the outcome as follows:  

  • Enhance regulatory frameworks for sound agricultural chemicals management, identify agrochemical waste, and reduce the harmful use of agrochemicals.  
  • Increase access to low/non-chemical pest control alternatives, environmental finance management of hazardous pesticides and agricultural wastes, including plastics, in Lao PDR.  
  • Improve access to finance aligned with the demonstration and promotion of sustainable alternatives and agricultural practices for income-raising-incentivized investment/financial frameworks​.  
  • Develop Information & knowledge management platforms to catalyse evidence-based decision-making scale-up. 

Project details:

  • Status: Ongoing
  • Duration: December 2023 – December 2027  
  • Geographic coverage: Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xiengkhuang, Bokeo Province and Vientiane Capital   
  • Project Office: Department of Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 
  • Focus Area: Agriculture chemicals and Sustainable Agriculture  
  • Implementing Partners: Department of Agriculture (DoA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 
  • Total project budget: 4,000,000 USD 
  • Donors: GEF: 4,000,000 USD

 

Contacts:  

Aksonethip Somvorachit  

Communications Analyst, UNDP in Lao PDR  

aksonethip.somvorachit@undp.org   

+856 21 267777  

 

Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov  

Team Leader  

Natural Resources Management, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Unit  

UNDP in Lao PDR  

abduvakkos.abdurahmanov@undp.org   

+856 21 267777  

Impact

START DATE

February 2022

END DATE

April 2023

STATUS

Completed

PROJECT OFFICE

Lao People's Democratic Republ

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

United Nations Development Programme

DONORS

Global Environment Fund Trustee

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$166,743

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2022$109,601

2023$26,138

Full Project information