Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dr Linkham Douangsavanh (second right) and other officials and dignitaries launch rural development programmes on Tuesday.

France sows seeds of climate-resilient agriculture

The governments of Laos and France have launched two programmes aimed at strengthening climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable landscapes, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in support of rural development and climate adaptation.
The two programmes, financed by the French government through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), are funded by a grant of 6 million euros and are being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment from 2025 to 2027.
The launch ceremony in Vientiane this week was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dr Linkham Douangsavanh, the French Ambassador to Laos Bénédicte Deschamps, and Vice Chairman of the Savannakhet Provincial People’s Council, Khamphoui Sibounheuang.
The first initiative, Promoting Climate-Resilient Irrigation, is led by the Department of Irrigation with technical support from Ginger SOFRECO and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
The second, Building Long-term Climate-resilient Agriculture and Landscapes in the Lao PDR (LTS), is led by the Department of Planning and Cooperation with assistance from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in Laos.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Lao economy, employing around 67 percent of the workforce. However, the sector is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, particularly frequent floods and droughts that result in significant annual losses, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.
These programmes come amid a broader national push to strengthen climate resilience in agriculture, as Laos faces mounting pressure to adapt to extreme weather and environmental change.
Persistent challenges—including outdated irrigation systems, limited planning capacity, and gaps in investment coordination—have highlighted the need for more integrated and forward-looking approaches.
The LTS programme will strengthen the government’s capacity to design long-term investment strategies and policy frameworks for climate-resilient agriculture.
Meanwhile, the irrigation-focused programme will promote agro-ecological practices and improve water management systems, helping to reduce climate-related losses, address water scarcity, boost productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farming communities.
Although implemented separately, the two initiatives form a coordinated platform to enhance cross-sector collaboration. By bringing together key stakeholders, the joint programme is expected to support policy development and public investment planning, ensuring a more integrated and effective approach to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, agriculture minister Dr Linkham emphasised the importance of agriculture to the national economy, saying that strengthening the sector is essential for advancing Laos’ green and sustainable development agenda.
Ambassador Deschamps said the initiatives go beyond financial support, describing them as a reflection of the strong and enduring partnership between Laos and France, as well as decades of successful cooperation between the ministry and AFD.
She noted that the two countries share a common goal of promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development, with the well-being of Lao farmers and communities at the centre of their efforts.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest UpdateApril 10, 2026)