The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Germany has granted more than 20.6 billion kip (US$1,803,605) to fund a four-year sustainable and livelihood development project in Xiengkhouang and Vientiane Provinces.
Recently, the project memorandums of understanding were signed between ADRA Country Director Ms Gill Grolimund and Mr. Somsamone Phalichanh, Deputy Director of Xienkhouang Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office, and Mr. Som-ok Norchaleun, Director of Vientiane Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office in January 2022.
“This project is very much in line with our government strategies in both local and national levels,” stated Mr. Mr. Phouvong Bounsou, Vice Governor of Vientiane Province who witnessed the signing. It also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 12 “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” and 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”
The Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Initiatives (SARLI) project aims to 1) promote Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and climate friendly agriculture by strengthening local civic institutions through GAP inspector training, certification, application, and policy engagement; 2) improve livelihoods of farmers through agrobusiness activities; and 3) compacity build implementing partners via various skills training opportunities and field practices.
“SARLI is a collaboration of and belongs to all partners,” said ADRA’s Country Director.
The project will collaborate with District and Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Offices, other government partners, and the Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Development Association to implement the project and support 52 inclusive farmer organizations in six districts of Xiengkhouang and four districts of Vientiane Province.
While SARLI is good news for Laos, its implementation coincides with the 30th anniversary of ADRA Laos. Registered in July 1992, ADRA has implemented more than 120 projects across 13 provinces of Laos in key sectors such as agriculture and livelihoods, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, tobacco control, education, and emergency management.
