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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Laos TITLE AND NUMBER: Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector, 439-004 STATUS: Continuing PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0 PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0 INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999    ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002 Summary: The Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector (LEAPSS) was initiated through a Congressional earmark. It builds on the development activities of the Lao American Crop Control Project. This program is premised on the observation that opium in the region is largely grown for economic security reasons. Yields from rice, the staple crop, are insufficient to feed farmer families. Opium is the best cash crop available to isolated farmers because of its high value and resistance to spoilage. Silk production has not reached its full potential due to inadequate roads and other transport systems, weak and fragmented information dissemination programs, understaffed agricultural extension services, protectionist policies, as well as technical and institutional constraints. Consequently, the production of high-quality Lao silk is insufficient to meet demand in Vientiane. Although they would prefer to use Lao-produced varieties, silk weavers in the capital must use imported silk. Key Results: The objectives of this activity are to: (1) strengthen institutional capacity of local and national authorities to support private silk sector activities; (2) identify and address national policy issues that impede the development of the Lao silk industry; (3) build capacity for sustainable information development and dissemination that meets the needs of the Laos silk sector; and, (4) enhance the role of women in all components of the silk sector. Performance and Prospects: The Government of Laos has given the Consortium-Laos (a World Education/World Learning partnership) formal authorization to implement the LEAPSS program, and program activities have commenced. Training of district and provincial government officials recently began, and a study tour of silk production in Northeast Thailand is being organized to demonstrate the role that government can play to support private development of the silk sector. Information is being collected to develop baseline data and performance monitoring. Plans are being drafted for media centers located in key villages to distribute technical information on sericulture and markets. Possible Adjustments to Plans: None. Other Donor Programs: None. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements LEAPSS activities through a grant to World Education, Inc., the lead organization in the Consortium-Laos. Selected Performance Measures: Selected performance measures are under development, but are expected to include improved production of raw silk and increased volume and productivity for existing silk enterprises. U.S. Financing (In thousands of dollars)   Obligations   Expenditures   Unliquidated   Through September 30, 1999    1,498 DA 375 DA 1,123 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA   0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 1,498 DA 375 DA 1,123 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA   0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA   0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA   0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA       Future Obligations   Est. Total Cost   Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 1,498 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA

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