Vientiane, 22 June 2009: 286.3 tons of improved rice seeds were distributed by FAO to 143 villages in 12 districts to rehabilitate rice fields affected by the August 2008 flood and allow poor farmers to have access to improved varieties of rice.

“These seeds will directly assist more than 6,000 flood affected families”, said Serge Verniau, FAO Representative in the Lao PDR.

“At its peak, the August 2008 floods inundated a total of 75 000 hectares of agricultural land of which nearly 50 000 hectares suffered damages. Nine months on the impact of the floods is still keenly felt. Food insecurity and resulting malnutrition is a critical problem, especially in remote areas.”

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