Who are you trying to help? What issue are you trying to address?

Laos is one of the least developed countries in the world. Hom district is the home of ethnic groups and is one of the poorest districts of Laos. Women are the most disadvantaged group. Association for Community Training and Development (ACTD) has worked here since five years and is aware the voice of these vulnerable women.

From generation to generation, rice production has been the main duty for all households and women. However, more than 70% of the population lack rice for more than six months yearly. Therefore, accessing to new skills, information, technology, finance and markets are essential needs. The project ensures that the rice return will be doubled. 11,000 people will experience poverty reduction. Rice is the most important. Rice is life.

Because of the mountainous area, people cannot expand their rice fields, but it is needed to double rice yield through new technology of rice seed screening and using bio-fertilizer. Although lacking rice, 41% of the farmers are forced to sell their rice at harvest time when the price is much lower.

What is your project and how will it help?

There are three key weak points identified.

1.Women screen rice seeds with hands. They cannot rid the bad seeds leading to bad rice yield.
2.They don’t use bio-fertilizer leading to low yield and bad soil step by step.
3.They sell their rice at harvest time when the price is at its lowest.

The project will provide skills, techniques, an innovative market and sustainable investments to double rice yield to 5,000 marginalized women in the poorest district.

Key activities:

- Launch workshop to “kick off” the action and establish an overall Action Coordination and Management Group 

- Awareness raising on women right and role including process of democracy

- Women groups establishment in 12 villages

- Provide a machine for screening rice seed. Training on how to use and maintain the machine (local product)

- Provide loans for bio-fertilizers to women farmers

- Access to new rice market

- Providing with rice harvest-time loans in exchange for providing farmers’ harvest to CDTC/ women groups as collateral

- District and villagers established an action team to oversee the implementation and the performance of the project

Goal:
Awareness on women right, role and democracy has been raised at 12 villages significantly. 12 women groups established with clear roles and responsibilities to perform and manage the project and after project end in sustainable manner. A machine for screening rice seed provided. Women had capacity on how to use and maintain the machine and ready for screening rice seeds for thousand members. Thousand women piloted and practiced using bio-fertilizer. Rice yield increased from two tons to four tons per ha. They stored rice properly. They joined together to sell the rice after prices rise significantly. The women groups recouped its loans and low-interest. Their members kept all additional revenue.

How can other people partner with you on your project?

People can partner with us by providing funds. We also need help to monitor and evaluate the project.

Please detail the resources that you need.

Funding 220,000 US$ (two hundred twenty thousand dollar)
Please contact us for a detailed budget.