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‘One district, one product' scheme set to expand
The Japan International Cooperation Agency's ‘One District, One Product' pilot project (ODOP2) is to develop 50 new products from now until 2015 following the success of the first 20 products.
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| Women use banana fibre to weave textiles. |
Project staff on Wednesday held their final joint coordination committee meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the departments of Industry and Commerce from all provinces of Laos.
The purpose of the meeting was to share lessons learned from the experience of the project for the future development of the ODOP movement and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for ODOP2.
The signing ceremony for ODOP2 was held on the same day between Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr Siaosavath Savengsuksa, Chief resident representative of JICA Laos Office Mr Masato Togawa, and ODOP1 and ODOP2 leader Mr Hiroaki Yonesaka.
A senior project coordinator of ODOP in Saravan and Savannakhet provinces, Mr Yuki Morino, said the target provinces of ODOP1 were Saravan and Savannakhet in projects that ran from 2009-2011. The main purpose of the pilot project was to understand and create an ODOP system suitable for implementation in Laos.
The outcome of the pilot project is that more than 20 new products have been successfully developed in respon se to market needs. The project included the cultivation of organic black rice and production of black rice flour, manufacture of a healthy aloe vera drink, and honey farming. Textiles were also made using banana fibre.
“ODOP1 creates jobs and brings income for producers and the country in general. Local people in the target districts of the two provinces now have permanent jobs they can do at home and have an income thanks to ODOP1,” Mr Yuki said.
Although Mr Yuki said the project has generated income for local people, there are no clear figures for exactly how much income people are earning. Some 16 villages in 10 districts of Savannakhet and Saravan provinces are benefiting from the project.
“The 20 new products, including black rice flour, organic black rice, honey and textiles, are now well known. There are markets for these products in foreign countries,” Mr Yuki said.
During the meeting Mr Yonesaka emphasised that the key reason for the success of the project has been the commitment of producers and Department of Industry and Commerce officials.
“When the quality of the products was inadequate, the producers tried to improve them and didn't give up. There are always ways to improve products,” he said.
According to Mr Yuki, ODOP2 will run from April 2012 to December 2015 in the provinces of Champassak, Xekong, Attapeu, Savannakhet and Saravan.
JICA also plans to further expand the project to other provinces in the future.
vientiane times
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