VIENTIANE, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The 14th meeting of the ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (14th ATWGARD), held on Thursday and Friday in Lao capital Vientiane, is considering ways to improve the performance of the agriculture sector in ASEAN countries, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Friday.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is recognized as a top exporter of agricultural and food products, of which fresh fruit and vegetables top the list, but the region is faced with many challenges in terms of food production and safety.
Producers need to ensure the quality and quantity of yields and minimize pre-harvest and post-harvest losses. ASEAN member countries also need to ensure food security and increase resilience to changes in climate, according to the meeting discussion.
Participants are seeking to boost cooperation between researchers in the ASEAN network when assessing the agricultural potential of each country, in order to ensure the quality and quantity of production, said the Lao Deputy Director General of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Khamphone Mounlamai, who chaired the meeting.
It is imperative to improve and promote agricultural research and development among all ASEAN member states, which would help to enhance the quality of agricultural products, ensure food safety and increase competitiveness in regional and international trade, Khamphone said.
The main crop grown in the region is rice. Other important products include sweetcorn, cassava, bananas, coffee, sugarcane, cotton, tea and peanuts.
Livestock grazing is also an important component of rural livelihoods, with water buffalo, pigs, cattle and chickens being the principle livestock.
The Lao government, especially the agriculture, forestry and rural development sector, is encouraging domestic and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in and help develop the agriculture sector and give a boost to commercial livestock farming.
The sector is also working with development partners and international organizations to further fund advances in growing commercial crops and pursuing livestock farming as one of the main contributors to poverty eradication.
