A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR, including the Deputy Director General of Department of Planning and Cooperation, Dr. Phommy Inthichack, and Deputy Director General of Department of Agricultural Land Management, Dr. Thatheva Saphangthong visited JIRCAS on November 7, 2024. The Ministry is currently considering a new five-year Agriculture and Forestry development plan, and the delegation visits Japan to collect relevant information to formulate the plan.

During the meeting, the research on Amazake and functional black rice implemented in Indigenous crops and foods design project was introduced as an example of the research activities of JIRCAS in Lao PDR. The outline of Climate change measures in Monsoon Asia project and Green Asia project was also presented. In addition, there was exchange of views and information on the importance of technological development to solve the problems in Lao agriculture.