Laos: Laos and China have officially completed a two-year technical cooperation and poverty reduction project aimed at improving rural livelihoods, agricultural production, and infrastructure in Tha Dokkham Village, Xaythany District. The handover ceremony was held on July 21 and was jointly organized by the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with the Foreign Aid Project Development Center for Rural Revitalization of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

According to Lao News Agency, the project was funded through a grant from the Chinese government and was implemented from June 2024 to June 2026. During its execution, household incomes saw a significant rise, with earnings from crop cultivation and agricultural processing increasing by 50 percent. Additionally, gardeners' incomes experienced a 46 percent boost.

The initiative also delivered key infrastructure improvements. These included the construction of three modern greenhouses, upgraded roads, a clean water reservoir system, a cold storage facility, and a village office, all aimed at enhancing agricultural production and market access.

More than 1,300 training opportunities were provided to government officials, village leaders, and farmers. This training was crucial in strengthening technical skills and supporting sustainable rural development. Furthermore, the village's vegetable producers achieved Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification and received an official product logo from the Vientiane Capital Department of Industry and Commerce, enhancing product quality and consumer confidence.

At the handover ceremony, Thadsaka Saphanthong, Director General of the Department of Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, expressed gratitude towards the Chinese government and all partners for their support. He also encouraged local authorities and residents to preserve the project's achievements and suggested expanding the successful model to other communities.