Agriculture Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision to the year 2030 Sectoral Vision and Aims “Ensuring food security, producing comparative and competitive agricultural commodities, developing clean, safe and sustainable agriculture and shift gradually to the modernization of a resilient and productive agriculture economy linking with rural development contributing to the national economic basis” Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry May 2015 Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity Government No. 53/GoV Vientiane Capital, dated 20-2-2015 Decree on Endorsement and Declaration of the Agriculture Development Strategy to the year 2025 and Vision to the year 2030  Pursuant to the Law of the Government of the Lao PDR No. 02/NA, dated 6 May 2003.  Pursuant to the Decision of the Lao Government regular monthly Conference of May 2015 No. 06/GoL, dated 02 July 2014.  With reference to the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry No. 1258/MAF, dated 26 August 2014. The Government issues Decree: Article 1: To officially endorse and declare the “Agriculture Development Strategy to the year 2025 and Vision to the year 2030”. Article 2: To authorize the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in collaboration with concerned ministries-equivalent organizations and local authorities to effectively study, enhance and implement the Agriculture Development Strategy to the year 2025 and Vision to the year 2030. Article 3: The concerned Ministries, Ministerial equivalent Organizations, Vientiane Capital, Provinces and other concerned organizations to aware, accept and implement this Decree strictly and effectively. Article 4: This Decree shall enter into force from the date it is signed. Prime Minister of the Lao PDR (Signed and Seal) Thongsing THAMMAVONG Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: Agriculture Development Strategy to the year 2025 and Vision to 2030 Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: Agriculture Development Strategy to the year 2025 and Vision to 2030   Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 I. Assessment of Agricultural Production Situation in the past ............................................... 4 1.1. Policy and Direction in Developing Agriculture in the past .................................................. 4 1.2 Actual Implementation Achievements of the Agricultural Sector in the past ..................... 4 1.2.1 Food Production ................................................................................................................. 4 1.2.2 Production of Agricultural Commodities ........................................................................... 6 1.2.3 Agricultural Infrastructure and Technical Support Facilities ............................................. 7 1.2.4 Cooperation and Investment in Agriculture Sector ............................................................8 1.2.5 Human Resource Development in Agriculture and Forestry Sector .................................. 9 1.3 Factors/Reasons Leading to Positive Achievements ............................................................ 10 1.4 Limitations, Shortcomings and Causes ................................................................................. 10 1.5. Lessons Learned ...................................................................................................................... 11 II. Visions and Strategic Goals .................................................................................................... 12 2.1 References for the Development of Strategy ........................................................................ 12 2.2 Potential Favorable Environment, Opportunities and Challenges .................................... 13 2.3 Party’s Direction, Sectoral Perspective and Vision ............................................................. 14 2.3.1 Party and Government Direction with regard to long term Agriculture Development .... 14 2.3.2 The Importance of Agriculture in the Lao Economy ....................................................... 15 2.3.3 Vision to the Year 2030 ................................................................................................... 15 2.4 Goals and Targets ................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.1 Overall Goals ................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.2 Determination of Goals and Expected Targets by 2020 .................................................. 16 2.4.2.1 Goal (Program) 1: Food Production ............................................................................ 16 2.4.2.2 Goal (Program) 2: Agricultural Commodity Production ............................................ 17 2.4.3 Determination of Goals and expected Targets by 2025 ................................................... 18 2.4.3.1 Goal (Program) 1: Food Production ............................................................................ 18 2.4.3.2 Goal (Program) 2: Agriculture Commodity Production ............................................19 III. Major Interventions and Implementation Measures ........................................................... 20 3.1 Overall Measures .................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1 Policy and Legislation ...................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1.1 Policy........................................................................................................................... 20 3.1.1.2 Legislation ................................................................................................................... 22 3.1.2 Improvement of Coordination with relevant Sectors ....................................................... 22 1