UPLAND AGRIC. DEV.

closed

The project would reduce rural poverty, expand export earnings and improve food security, control soil erosion and strengthen key agricultural institutions. It would cover Champassak, Saravane and Sekong Provinces on the Bolovens Plateau in the south and Vientiane Municipality and Province in the north. Project activities would concentrate on upland cropping systems with the exception of irrigation rehabilitation in valley floors in Vientiane Province. Specifically, the project would support: (a) upland crop production, mainly of coffee, soybeans and other cash crops, and valley floor irrigated production of rice and other cash crops, through the provision of equipment, inputs and support services, and the development and transfer of improved and environmentally safe crop production technologies; (b) rehabilitation of existing small scale gravity irrigation schemes and establishment of pilot irrigation operations and maintenance (O&M) arrangements based on adequate cost recovery from beneficiaries; (c) feeder road rehabilitation and maintenance; and (d) technical assistance and training.