VIENTIANE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have reviewed the Strengthening Agro-climatic Monitoring and Information Systems (SAMIS) project, which aims to improve adaptability to climate change and food security in Laos.
According to local daily Vientiane Times report on Thursday, a project steering committee meeting for the initiative took place in the Lao capital Vientiane on Friday, chaired by Lao Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Xaynakhone Inthavong and regional representative of FAO Beau Damen.
The meeting summarized the achievements, issues, work plan and minor budget modifications, the initial proposal for a sustainability plan for the SAMIS project, and discussed technical recommendations and other important information.
Speaking at the meeting, Xaynakhone said, "Today is an important opportunity to continue the SAMIS project and participants will review activities and summarize the challenges of the project during the first six months of this year."
Damen said the project was about putting agrometeorological advice in the hands of farmers, and improved tools for agricultural land-use planning in the hands of policymakers.
The project has received more than 48.4 billion Lao kip (some 5.5 million U.S. dollars) from the Global Environmental Facility Least Developed Country Fund for four years from 2017-2021.
