Vientiane: With support from the German Government through the Lao Access to Finance Fund (LAFF), Patoukham Financial Institution organized a study visit for its loan members and media representatives to Supchaleun Farm, an emerging model for sustainable catfish farming in Dongkhuay, Saythany district, Vientiane. The visit aimed to highlight innovative agricultural practices and inspire members to adopt professional, market-oriented fish farming techniques as a pathway to sustainable family business management.
According to Lao News Agency, the visit was designed to showcase how Supchaleun Farm, established in 2022 by entrepreneur Anousack Keochaleun with a registered capital of 3 billion LAK, has expanded steadily over three years across 22 hectares. The farm’s operations include catfish farming, fingerling production, fish processing, and coconut cultivation, and it is seeking business partners to further scale its business. Mr. Anousack emphasized the farm’s mission to make catfish a commercially viable p
roduct through professional farming and value-added products such as sun-dried, frozen, and fermented catfish, as well as fish balls and fish sauce. These products cater to both domestic and international markets, with a daily demand of 20-25 tons of catfish in Vientiane, including processed goods.
The farm employs a modern aquaculture system featuring Aluzinc-sheet fish tanks with a water circulation and treatment system that maintains water cleanliness, eliminates odors, and enhances production quality and output. Supchaleun Farm also extends technical support, fingerlings, feed, equipment, and training to local farmers, fostering sustainable aquaculture in the community.
Mr. Myxay Vongphachan, Deputy Director of Patoukham Financial Institution, highlighted that the visit aimed to improve borrowers’ knowledge and introduce new ideas for household economic development. He noted that seeing real-world examples like Supchaleun Farm could inspire members to lift themselves out of poverty and transition into f
ormal banking services.
Patoukham Financial Institution, established in 2012 under the supervision of the Bank of the Lao PDR, provides loans and deposit services focusing on agricultural and small business lending. It has disbursed over 2,000 loans to date. Ms. Soysouvanh Siboriboun, Manager of LAFF, explained that the fund, established in 2014 with German Government support, offers wholesale loans to microfinance institutions and commercial banks, benefiting seven institutions to date. The fund also provides technical assistance to institutions and their clients, ensuring effective utilization of project resources.
Ms. Viengkham Saensathid expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the visit motivated her to expand her small-scale farming operations professionally. The study visit exemplifies the synergy between financial services, government-backed development funds, and grassroots entrepreneurship, contributing to inclusive economic growth in Laos.
