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Laos
>> Regional Overview >> Laos Overview Program Data Sheet
493-004
USAID PROGRAM: Laos
PROGRAM TITLE: Economic Development (Pillar: Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector, 439-004
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,000,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003Summary: USAID’s program of economic acceleration of the silk sector in Laos includes—
- training of government program coordinators to strengthen technical and managerial capacity of local and national authorities to support private silk sector activities;
- training including a study tour of silk sector initiatives to identify and address marketing and policy issues which affect the development of the Lao silk industry at the local and national level
- training and distribution through micro-credit of mulberry saplings and barbed-wire fencing to families involved in the project to increase silk production;
- creation of Media Centers in villages to build capacity for sustainable information development and dissemination to meet the needs of the silk sector in rural areas; and
- training to enhance the role of women in all components of the silk sector.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: The program provides instruction to Laotian farmers to increase and improve silk production. In FY 2002, the program will perform the following: 1) provide follow-up training for care and maintenance of mulberry bushes; 2) provide training for farmers on improved silk rearing technologies; 3) provide training in production and marketing of silk handicrafts; 4) prepare a training curriculum on sericulture and agricultural extension for District Implementation Teams; and 5) provide follow-up assistance on the construction of village training and media centers.
Planned FY 2003 Program: Pending the results of a program assessment, USAID will continue with similar activities in FY 2003.
Performance and Results: This program is premised on the observation that opium in the region is largely grown for economic 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. The LEAPSS program supports silk production as an alternative cash crop by strengthening the weak and fragmented information dissemination programs, training understaffed agricultural extension services, and training farmers in silk production.
LEAPSS has helped 249 families to purchase a total of close to 100,000 saplings, resulting in 13.14 hectares of planted mulberry trees. The LEAPSS program is increasing the volume and profitability of existing enterprises and micro-enterprises engaged in the production, processing and marketing of silk. Thus far the program has reintroduced silk growing to twelve rural villages, trained both government staff and 249 farm families in sericulture, and worked with Lao silk producers and weavers to promote silk. The program has provided more than $10,000 in micro-credit to the participating families to purchase mulberry trees and fencing materials. Almost 100,000 saplings have been distributed and so far 13 hectares of mulberry have been planted. The actual cultivation of new areas is defined by how quickly lands can be cleared of unexploded bombs and mines. Media centers have been set up in two key villages to distribute technical information on sericulture and markets.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements LEAPSS activities through a grant to World Education, Inc.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
439-004 Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector DA Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 0 Expenditures 0 Unliquidated 0 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 0 Expenditures 0 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 0 Expenditures 0 Unliquidated 0 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 0 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 1,000 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 1,000 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 1,000 Future Obligations 0 Est. Total Cost 2,000
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
