Core area: Transformation of agricultural and food systems Strong land rights as a basis for food security

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Lots of rural communities in Laos, which include many ethnic minorities, lack legally recognised land and forestry rights. Without this formal security, affected population groups are more vulnerable to having their land confiscated, being displaced or losing agricultural land, which in turn puts local food production and food security at serious risk. Additionally, there is a lack of recognition for traditional and community-based land use. This frequently leads to social conflict and exclusion, and represents a further barrier to accessing sustainable farming methods. The absence of clearly defined land rights that offer adequate protection thus not only undermines economic and social structures in affected regions, but also impacts people’s ability to secure their long-term livelihoods in a sustainable way.

Furthermore, rural infrastructure is often inadequate and sometimes entirely disrupted, particularly in remote areas and during the rainy season. Many villages become unreachable for certain periods, which makes accessing markets, educational facilities and healthcare services difficult. Insufficient or unreliable transport routes limit access to food for rural populations and make it harder for them to sell the produce they themselves have grown.

Goal of the projects

The projects currently in place aim to consolidate the land rights of smallholder farmers and rural communities in Laos to ensure they have fair and secure access to farmland and forests. Efforts to improve land management are helping to protect forests and biodiversity, and thus the livelihoods of local populations. In addition, climate-resilient infrastructure is intended to ensure year-round access to markets, schools and health clinics.

Processes and priority areas:

• One project is supporting efforts to protect land rights, forests and biodiversity in the provinces of Sainyabuli and Houaphanh. It is also promoting responsible land use.
  
• A further aim is to improve the legal framework for land rights, with a particular focus on land rights for women and the involvement of civil society organisations.
  
• With the help of the “LaoLandReg” software program, Germany is supporting efforts to accelerate the registration of land rights for agricultural and cultivated land in selected rural districts in the provinces of Houaphanh, Xieng Khouang, Oudomxay and Sainyabuli. Digital skills are also to be boosted within Lao authorities.
  
• One of the projects is supporting efforts to improve digital tools like the Land Use Information System (LUIS) and the digital land register “LaoLandReg” to foster informed decision-making in the area of land and forest management.
  
• Northern Laos is particularly affected by climate change and the fact that many parts of the country are cut off during the rainy season. A project in northern Laos is working to improve the socio-economic conditions for poor rural populations in Houaphanh province. It is making trade routes, markets, health clinics, schools and public services accessible year-round via the local transport network. This is especially important as the people in this region are heavily impacted by climate change and by isolation during the rainy season.