Xieng Khuang reviews agro-biodiversity’s boost to rural livelihoods

       Representatives from The Agro-Biodiversity Initiative (TABI) recently met Xieng Khuang province’s agriculture authorities to review 10 years of progress at the forest-agricultural interface from 2009-2020.
      The TABI project to improve the livelihoods of upland communities through sustainable land management in Xieng Khuang is a joint programme between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It began in 2009 and is now in its third and final phase (April 2017-September 2020).
      The third phase aims to complete ongoing processes, consolidate the achievements, and capitalize and disseminate the knowledge generated under the previous two phases.
      It is working with and through government line departments to ensure results are sustained after the project ends.
There will also be a focus on developing sustainable models for small scale farmers and sustainable enterprises of unique Lao products.

      TABI officials reported over 10 years of success. The project has seen 140 villages acquiring benefits in Xieng Khuang province, covering 23 percent of total villages, and some rural 5,378 families enjoying an improvement in their livelihoods.
     This year, the project team will carry on working together with key stakeholders at national, provincial and community levels to map out a project work plan for the remaining months.
      During such transition periods, it is important for the authorities to maintain strong and committed implementing partners, maintain knowledgeable staff and active collaboration with other initiatives to ensure smooth implementation and to follow a proper exit strategy for the project.

Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/sub-new/Current/Curr_Xieng.php