VIENTIANE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has outlined measures to boost agricultural production and processing, aiming to increase competitiveness and add value to Lao products.
Speaking during the 10th ordinary session of the Lao National Assembly's ninth legislature on Thursday, Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh reported steady growth in agricultural and forestry production in recent years, with several large-scale projects helping reduce imports and increase exports.
From 2021 to 2025, the export value of agricultural and forestry products averaged 1.57 billion U.S. dollars per year. In the first 10 months of 2025, exports reached 1.54 billion dollars, surpassing the Lao National Assembly's annual target of 1.5 billion dollars.
Despite progress, Linkham acknowledged challenges including limited mechanization, low use of modern technology, inadequate irrigation, high production costs, weak supply chains, and underdeveloped infrastructure.
To tackle these challenges, the ministry has outlined several key measures, including developing policies to lower production costs and promote the use of advanced technology and innovation, and implementing detailed national strategies for crops, livestock, and aquaculture.
The ministry also plans to improve access to capital, market information, and essential inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, veterinary medicines, and machinery. In addition, it aims to promote modern, sustainable farming, while supporting investment in logistics, processing plants, storage facilities, and laboratories for pest and residue analysis. ■