Agricultural biodiversity in LAO PDR

Agricultural biodiversity in LAO PDR

Descripción

ao PDR is a biodiversity mega-diverse country, and one of Vavilovs Centres of Origin of domesticated plants. The people of Lao PDR make tremendous use of this biodiversity, particularly in the agriculture sector, which by far is the most important economic sector in the country. Over 80 percent of the labour force is employed within the agriculture sector, which is largely subsistence agriculture that is characterized by low inputs and low outputs. In Lao PDR, a wide-range of wil d plants and animals contribute significantly to day-to-day basic nutrition of both rural and urban residents. Agricultural biodiversity in Lao PDR is considered a crucial resource for food security, sustainable livelihoods and adequate nutrition. While these resources have benefited the country for centuries, better use, improved development and enhanced conservation of agricultural biodiversity are required to meet both current and future demands for food, to decrease c hronic malnutrition, and to reduce rural poverty. Improving the contribution of agricultural biodiversity through enhancing knowledge and improving management capacity in the agriculture sector were identified as government priorities and in December 2004, the Government of Lao PDR endorsed the National Agricultural Biodiversity Programme as a policy document.