The Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Tsutomu Koizumi (centre), along with other officials, attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a Japan-funded irrigation project on March 6.

Japan-funded US$1.4 million irrigation project boosts rural livelihoods

A rural infrastructure project funded by the government of Japan has improved irrigation access and rural connectivity for farming communities in northern Laos, benefiting more than 1,200 households in 48 villages of Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces.
The project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in partnership with Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, was supported by a grant of US$1.4 million from the government of Japan under the Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas (LRRA) Project.
Under the initiative, 31 small-scale irrigation systems and 17 rural road improvement schemes were completed across seven districts in the two provinces, helping strengthen agricultural productivity and improve market access for rural communities.
A joint field visit to project sites was conducted by the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Tsutomu Koizumi; the FAO Representative to the Lao PDR, Kyung-Mee Kim; and the Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Dr Boundeth Southavilay.
The delegation visited Nangua village in Beng district, Oudomxay province, where they met with beneficiary households, inspected completed irrigation infrastructure and rural roads, and observed agricultural activities supported by the project.
Officials also engaged with village representatives and participants in Cash-for-Work activities, which enabled local residents to take part in the construction of irrigation systems and road improvements while earning income.
According to the FAO, more than 1,150 households earned wages through the Cash-for-Work programme during the project’s implementation.
The initiative also supported 20 producer groups, established water user groups in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, and created two cluster-level aggregation hubs to strengthen agricultural marketing.
Farmer Field Schools were also organised to train farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices.
The FAO Representative to the Lao PDR, Ms Kyung-Mee Kim, said the project demonstrates the importance of cooperation between governments, international organisations and local communities in strengthening food security and rural livelihoods.
The Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Tsutomu Koizumi, said Japan remains committed to supporting rural development and food security in Laos through investments in irrigation and rural infrastructure.
The Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Dr Boundeth Southavilay, called on provincial and district authorities to ensure proper management and maintenance of the newly constructed infrastructure so that it continues to benefit local communities.
Agriculture remains a key sector in the Lao economy and a primary source of livelihood for rural populations. However, many communities in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces face challenges related to climate variability and limited irrigation.
Launched in November 2023, the LRRA Project aims to improve water access for rice cultivation in both the rainy and dry seasons while enhancing rural road connectivity to facilitate market access.
In Luang Prabang province, the project completed 14 small-scale irrigation schemes, 13 road improvement projects and one submerged bridge in the districts of Ngoi, Nambak, Pakxeng and Chomphet.
In Oudomxay province, 17 irrigation schemes and three road rehabilitation projects were completed in Beng, Houn and Nga districts.
In Beng district alone, 225 households from seven villages participated in construction activities, earning a total of 337.5 million kip in wages, while construction materials and equipment worth more than 607 million kip were provided to local communities.
The Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas (LRRA) Project (GCP/LAO/034/JPN) is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao PDR, with financial support from the government of Japan.
The project focuses on strengthening food security, improving rural infrastructure, and building climate resilience in targeted rural communities in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 11, 2026 )