Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Emma Allen (), Soulinthone Leuangkhamsing (), Maria Fay Rola-Rubzen (), Jon Marx Sarmiento () and Omer Zafar ()
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Emma Allen: Asian Development Bank
Soulinthone Leuangkhamsing: Asian Development Bank
Maria Fay Rola-Rubzen: University of Western Australia
Jon Marx Sarmiento: University of the Philippines
Omer Zafar: Asian Development Bank

No 770, ADB Economics Working Paper Series from Asian Development Bank

Abstract: Two-thirds of people in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic live in rural areas, yet agriculture contributes less than one-fifth of gross domestic product. As such, farm incomes remain low and many lack access to safe and nutritious food sufficient to meet dietary needs and risk falling into poverty and food insecurity. Food insecurity has risen to as many as one-in-ten households, with most food-insecure households dependent on rice farming and lacking educational attainment. Gender, household size, and livelihood are also important determinants in whether one is food insecure. Long-term food security challenges relate to agricultural productivity, market infrastructure, and climate factors. In addition, food security is diminished by macroeconomic instability that has elevated inflation and limited fiscal space for investing in health and education services which manifests in high rates of malnutrition. This multidimensional challenge calls for integrated solutions that strengthen foundations for a food and nutrition secure future.

Keywords: food security; Lao PDR; availability; accessibility; utilization; stability; agency and sustainability; recommendations for investment in priority areas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H50 Q10 Q50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24 pages
Date: 2025-02-19
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-sea
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