Lao PDR launches Transformative Land Investment project

A new initiative to empower local communities and promote sustainable land investments was launched through a memorandum of understanding signed on 6 June 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Transformative Land Investment (TLI) project, a collaboration between RECOFTC and the Department of Forestry, will be implemented in Khammouane and Luangprabang provinces until June 2025, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The TLI project, supported by SDC under the Global Food Security program, aims to make land-based investments more economically, socially and environmentally advantageous by integrating inclusive development, sustainable food systems and agroecology principles into their practices, policies and business models.

The government of Lao PDR has implemented a policy encouraging investment in agriculture and forestry, particularly in degraded forest. The area covered by this policy amounts to 600,000 hectares. The policy has attracted interest from large tree plantation companies in the country, with investment possibilities in these lands and other related businesses that impact people's livelihoods. Such cooperation reflects a significant effort to empower local people and investors in agriculture and forestry, aiming to advance food security and social and environmental protection, and contribute to forest restoration.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Somvang Phimmavong, Director General of the Department of Forestry and Bounyadeth Phouangmala, Country Director of RECOFTC Lao PDR at the Department of Forestry. Speaking at the event, Phouangmala said, “This partnership integrates principles like agroecology, gender equity and tenure rights to cultivate a resilient, inclusive model for sustainable land investment. By empowering communities in Luangprabang and Khammouane, we can restore degraded forests while uplifting livelihoods and food security in harmony with environmental protection.”

For more information, visit the TLI project website.

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RECOFTC’s work is made possible with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Government of Sweden.