Vegetables grown in a greenhouse.

Inflation hitting farmers hard
 
The continuing depreciation of the kip is having a devastating impact on the country’s farmers, who are experiencing a sharp increase in the cost of agricultural production due to the soaring price of fertiliser, seeds, and petrol needed for agricultural machinery and to transport crops.
The topic topped the agenda at the annual meeting of the Lao Farmers Network, held in Xieng Khuang province last week.
A representative of the Network said “Inflation has caused the cost of agricultural production to more than double compared to last year. This means farmers are saddled with increasing capital outlay.”
The meeting was cochaired by the Deputy Director General of the Xieng Khuang Provincial Agriculture Promotion and Cooperative, Mr Viengsavai Sengsoulivong; Deputy Director General of the Xieng Khuang Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Hongthong Phimmasan; and the President of the Lao Farmers Network, Mr Khammoun Xaymany.
Other meeting participants included representatives of relevant government bodies and development partners such as the Lao Upland Rural Advisory Service, Project for Reinforcement of Commercial Capacities, ASSET, Agroecology and Safe Food System Transitions, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the European Union, and representatives of 45 groups from 10 provinces, including coffee production groups, and members of tea, vegetable and agriculture networks.
Participants delivered reports on the work of the national farmers’ network and networks concerned with the cultivation of rice, tea, coffee and vegetables in 2023, and plans for 2024.
Mr Khammoun said the Lao Farmers’ Network had expanded and now included 177 groups across the country, of which the Network was providing assistance to 70 groups.
“We will improve agricultural production systems by teaming up with partners to promote the cultivation of kitchen gardens to improve nutrition among local communities, as well as build greenhouses,” he said.
“We also want to encourage groups to rear large bamboo rats, build easy to use balers, grow sweet onions, farm fish in rice fields, grow brown rice, and take part in other farming activities.”
Meanwhile, the network is providing funds to help some members with chicken and fish farming and coffee cultivation, and providing onion seeds to farmers.
Mr Khammoun added “We plan to expand the number of members in our group and encourage more farmers to grow crops on a commercial basis. We also plan to help them find markets as well as pass on the benefits of the social welfare system to all farmers.”

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 28, 2023)