Rapid Assessment of Food Security and Agriculture in Lao PDR

While there have been just 19 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to date in Lao PDR, the country – as with other countries around the world – has been affected by secondary social and economic impacts as a result of measures instituted to stop the spread of the virus. This survey seeks […]

Case study on orchid exports from the Lao PDR: Recommendations for using the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to increase sustainable orchid trade.

This report is a product of the project “Piloting CITES Implementation in Lao PDR: Strengthening Institutions through Case Studies”. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), this initiative was carried out by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and partners, including the National University of Laos and TRAFFIC, in 2007-2008.The initiative provided […]

Highly efcient production of 2,3‑butanediol from xylose and glucose by newly isolated thermotolerant Cronobacter sakazakii

Background: 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), a valuable compound used for chemicals, cosmetics, pesticides and pharma‑ ceuticals, has been produced by various microbes. However, no high-temperature fermentation of the compound at high productivity has been reported. Methods: Thermotolerant xylose-utilizing microbes were isolated from 6 diferent districts in Laos and screened for a low accumulation of xylitol in a […]

Demand and potential analysis for forest-based value chains in six provinces: Khammouane, Luang Prabang, Sayaboury, Oudomxay, Houaphanh and Vientiane Province

• GIZ-ProFEB supports DoF in the protection and sustainable use of forests • One of the five outputs of the ProFEB project is focusing on promoting sustainable forest-based value chains • This means fostering producer groups, MSME and private sector to establish partnerships to become more competitive • Currently, only little updated information on timber, […]

Professor Vichit Lamxay

In 2016 and 2020, Professor Vichit Lamxay was rewarded for his outstanding research by the Faculty of Natural Science of the National University of Laos. He has become a model for many in the field of botany and biodiversity. Professor Vichit Lamxay is a renowned researcher in biodiversity, recognized for his contributions to agroforestry, ecosystem […]

Dr. Phetlasy Souladeth

Dr. Phetlasy Souladeth, Assistant Professor and Head of the Scientific Research and Academic Services Division at the Faculty of Forestry, National University of Laos (NUoL), has dedicated her career to enhancing agrobiodiversity through her research on plant species. Her journey began with receiving the Darwin Scholarship, for which she trained after graduating with her bachelor’s […]

Plant Use in Ante- and Postpartum Health Care in Lao PDR

An ethnobotanical study, combining systematic botany, pharmacology and anthropology was carried out December 2005 to Mars 2006 in Central and Northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The study documents the medicinal use of plants in an important and complicated passage of life, childbirth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in five rural villages among four ethnic groups […]

Edible insects in Lao PDR: building on tradition to enhance food security

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is a rugged, mountainous, landlocked country, with relatively weak infrastructure. As such, the country faces numerous challenges in achieving sustainable food security and nutrition for all its citizens. Concerted efforts of recent years have resulted in significant advances in ensuring food security, but serious challenges remain – particularly […]