A meeting on agriculture and rural development has been held in the Lao capital Vientiane, to share insights and initiatives on the sector, said the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Friday.
The 25th Sector Working Group on Agriculture and Rural Development meeting, organized by the ministry in cooperation with the Embassy of France to Laos and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Wednesday, reviewed and discussed the progress made over the past year, a report from the ministry said.
The meeting also provided a platform for stakeholders in the agriculture and rural development sector to share insights on key challenges encountered and identify priorities for 2024 based on thematic and sectoral issues.
Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Thongphath Vongmany said agriculture plays a central role in the country's economy and the government has prioritized agriculture and rural development in its national development plans.
"We need to ensure that the benefits of agriculture are inclusive and reach all sections of the population," he stressed.
FAO Country Representative Victor Mol said it is important to prioritize investments and initiatives in the sector to "promote job creation, poverty reduction, and food security, while also protecting the environment and empowering marginalized communities," he added.