Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector

Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector (33kb)

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The Laos Economic Acceleration Program for the Silk Sector (LEAPSS) is being implemented by The Consortium, a joint venture of World Learning and World Education. LEAPSS is designed to help existing Laotian enterprises and micro enterprises engaged in the production, processing, and marketing of silk, to increase their volume and profitability. LEAPSS is consistent with the national development priorities of the Government of Lao PDR in that accelerated development of the Lao silk industry offers an opportunity to make a substantial contribution to increasing Lao living standards, particularly among women and the rural poor, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for efforts to meet broader economic needs. The project also seeks to identify and address policy issues that impede the development of the Lao Silk industry at the national level by trying to influence decision-makers at the central level of the Lao government. National and local level policies presently do little to promote the production or marketing of silk. This lack of enabling policy is one of the major issues meant to be addressed by LEAPSS.

Silk production had been a mainstay of the local population. The needed knowledge and skills have only been partially passed down to a few of the younger generation and are now in danger of being lost in many places. Sustainable growth and development of the Laos silk sector will depend heavily on the country's ability to acquire, produce, and disseminate information throughout the silk industry. The Consortium is helping to inform local farmers about the economic benefits of silk production, and providing training and technical assistance to encourage the growth of the silk sector in the target Houaphan and Xieng Khouang provinces. Opium is presently the main source of income. LEAPSS is designed to encourage farmers to recognize the profitability and sustainability of silk production as an alternative to opium production. The silk sector in Laos reflects the traditional division of labor and responsibility among men and women. Men are normally responsible for land clearance, planting, soil preparation, fencing, and construction of rearing house. Women are responsible for fertilization, pruning, mulching, harvest leaves, pest control, silk worm feeding, reeling, dyeing, weaving and marketing. The Consortium is actively striving for gender parity in all areas of silk production and business-related decision-making. Women are playing key roles as part of government participation at the provincial and district levels. Each of the village committees includes at least one woman. In some villages, the committees are comprised only of women.

Partners: USAID
World Education
Project: Cooperative Agreement
1999. 2002
Lao PDR

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