LAOS
Vientiane Times-Apr 19
Rural villagers are finding it more difficult to seek food from natural resources as forestry land is being decimated further impacting on nutritional improvement especially for children, agriculture sector officials reported.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported recently on the progress of the Agriculture and Forestry Development Plan for 2017-2020 noting that 40 percent of people in rural areas are still engaged in seeking rations from natural sources, especially during the rainy season to support their nutrition.
Presently, food sources from forestry are becoming more difficult to find as villagers living nearby the jungle lack awareness about sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, agriculture projects still lack activities to encourage villagers to safeguard their natural resources.
The report highlighted the need for authorities to seek ways to encourage rural villagers to learn how to maintain forest biodiversity so as to provide them with a sustainable food source.
The number of malnourished children under the age of five in Laos was still high at 36 percent while the rate of malnutrition among children in rural areas surveyed by authorities was still at a crisis level.
Malnutrition during infancy and early childhood years affects children’s physical and mental development.
However, with more than 70 percent of people engaged in agriculture and providing more food for the nation, children’s nutrition status was improving, the report noted.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will keep working with development partners with a focus on four priorities relating to 22 measures under the national nutrition strategy. This will ensure that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food all year round.
Experts have commented that if Laos achieved its target to increase forest cover to 70 percent by 2020, this would play a significant role in increasing natural resources and greatly assist villagers still looking for food in the forest.
