Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry partners with World Vision to build sustainable agriculture and nutrition for Salavan's rural community

The Salavan Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office signed a MoU with World Vision to improve the health and nutrition of children and rural communities in LAKHONPHENG, VAPY, AND TOOMLARN DISTRICTS, SALAVAN PROVINCE. This project is funded by the Australia NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, a key player in the agricultural and nutritional development of Lao PDR, is making significant strides to improve the health and nutrition standards of children and mothers in rural communities. They have partnered with World Vision International Laos to launch the Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition (SUAN), a four-year initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Australia NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) with support from World Vision Australia.

This project, with a budget of USD 3,695,762, aims to significantly improve nutrition and food security in three districts in Salavan Province, namely, Lakhonpheng, Vapy, and Toomlarn Districts. The SUAN project will work with farmers and production groups to increase and diversify their production, improve the dietary and care practices of women of reproductive age and children under five, and also promote the participation of all genders and people with disability in Nutrition Sensitive Climate Smart Agriculture (NS-CSA). This comprehensive approach is expected to benefit over 8,334 people, including 2275 Women, 3,500 girls and boys, and 240 People With Disability, by enhancing their health, well-being, and economic opportunities.

The achievements of the SUAN project will not only transform the lives of the people in Salavan but also contribute significantly to Lao PDR's advancement in the National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN) 2021-2025, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal, the Lao Government’s Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan NSEDP (2021-2025) and in alignment with the Lao Government’s National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action (NNSAP) (2021-2025) and strategic Framework. Moreover, the project aligns with the Agriculture Development Strategy focusing on climate adaptation and nutrition. The goal is to boost food security through climate-smart agriculture (CSA), with nutrition-sensitive (NS) principles to create resilient, healthy food systems. This Nutrition-Sensitive Climate-Smart Agriculture (NS-CSA) approach aims to increase agricultural productivity, enhance adaptive capacity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SUAN is in alignment with the recent Australia’s International Development Policy (2023) to address climate change and its impacts, support addressing local barriers by adopting local solutions, and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.

This jointly led initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Australia Aid, and World Vision will help eradicate malnutrition, end hunger, and promote the good health and well-being of vulnerable children in Laos.

Since 2019, World Vision has actively participated in Salavan through the AHAN Project. This initiative achieved significant milestones, particularly at the provincial level, thanks to effective collaboration among relevant offices and departments. As a result of this successful partnership, additional funding has been approved for the SUAN project. Not only will this project transform the lives of people in Salavan, but it will also significantly contribute to Lao PDR’s progress in the National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN) 2021-2025, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”, says Mr. Phouthong Khammanyvong, vice Salavan Provincial Governor.

“SUAN project aims to improve nutrition and food security for households particularly women and children under five, through sustainable, nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart agriculture, as well as childcare and WASH practices. A key focus is on promoting nutrition-sensitive climate-smart agriculture practices to enhance household agricultural productivity for both consumption and sale throughout the year.”, said Ms. Edelweiss Silan, National Director for World Vision International – Lao PDR.