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Workshop helps growers cultivate better practices
Agricultural staff from provinces throughout Laos are gathering in Vientiane for training on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), aiming for Lao producers to achieve GAP certification to meet regional and international standards.
During the two week training course from February 7-18, participants will study the GAP system and visit model farms and markets.
The course is part of the Asean-Japan Partnership and South-South Cooperation projects under Asean-GAP.
Most Lao farmers still carry out their work using traditional methods, which can damage or put the quality of agricultural products at risk, according to agricultural experts.
GAP also places agriculture production within a system that protects product quality from planting, through harvesting, storing, packaging and selling at markets.
GAP differs from organic agriculture in that farmers are taught the use of suitable chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
After this month's training, participants will take the knowledge they have gained to teach other farmers in their local area to ensure maximum benefit from the course, said Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Department of Agriculture, Mr Kham Sanataem, speaking at the launch ceremony.
This valuable knowledge will help farmers sell their produce at higher prices, he said.
The training is being supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan through the Asean secretariat, and implemented by the National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service in cooperation with the agriculture department.
Laos is the last Asean country in which the GAP programme is being implemented, while all others are at various stages of the programme and utilisation of its methods.
Some Asean countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have already gained certification from the Asean-GAP committee.
vientiane times
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