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Provide Microfinance to Disadvantaged Laos Farmers
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Summary
Empowering men and women through agricultural development, help us transform 24,725 acres of unused village land into a source of sustainable income for poor farmers in rural Laos.
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Received $375 from 3 donations from people like:
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More Information About this Project
Project Needs and Beneficiaries
In a rural backdrop six hours from Vientiane lies a small community of farmers and villagers struggling to survive. Their land was cleared years ago for timber and left without economic benefit. Through SEDA and microfinance, they want to create prospering farms to sustain their community for future generations. In addition to financial assistance, these villagers need to know they can receive fair trade for produce, have access to services and raw materials, clean water and farming information
Activities
This project involves working with farmers to plant Jatropha Curas (green energy) on 9000 acres, establish a producer cooperative, marketing strategy and water storage plan - with the remaining land to be used for herbs, rice and conservation.
Funding Information
Total Funding Received to Date: $375
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $34,625
Total Funding Goal: $35,000
Additional Documentation
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
Resources
Why this Project is Important
Potential Long Term Impact
Introducing this microfinance program to farmers in poverty will create sustainable change for the community in question and generate useful lessons, which can then be applied to similar communities throughout Laos.
Project Message
Helping disadvantaged farming men and women achieve financial success today, means a brighter future for Laos tomorrow - one where your support created change and the catalyst for improvement.
- Ms. Souly QuachAngkham, Founder of SEDA-Laos
When this Project was Updated
Last Updated
This project was last updated on June 20, 2008.
Date Added to GlobalGiving
This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on February 04, 2008.
Latest Update from the Field
Lao Science/SEDA Trials Agarwood Trees for Laotian Farmers
By Souly QuachAngkham - Founder/Director, June 20, 2008 06:58 PM
The Lao Science/SEDA Research project has planted 15 Agarwood trees as a trial. The trees are roughly three and a half to four years old. The three year old trees do not produce enough fruit to be profitable, but in the fourth year they produce more fruits and we will see more seeding fruit years to come.
The origin of the Agarwood tree has been traced back to before Hinduism. It produces a strong resin and is a non-chemical plant. Agarwood is very sensitive and needs special care. In Laos it is called Ko Ketsan and its Latin name is Aquilaria. Laotian farmers and investors are still trying to find solutions on how to cultivate, produce more fruits, and improve the quality of the resin. The Agarwood seeds are gathered from the wild and will only survive three or four days if not planted.
The price of the Agarwoord resin is very high on the black market. The wild Agarwood tree became so valuable that it was logged to sell for its resin. Loggers often damaged Agarwood trees that had no resin in their search for this valuable commodity. Today ,there is an international law protecting the wild Agarwood. Destroying the tree could result in a fine of US$10,000 and up. Interested investors can purchase legal Agarwood through local farmers or coordinate with SEDA.
The market demand comes from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, as well as for relegious ceremonies in Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, and bio-medical and cosmetic companies. The resin in the market ranges from low to high quality and sells from $5000 per/kg up to $25,000k.
The SEDA project is teaching local farmers how to protect the Agarwood trees and cultivate them for the next generation.This is a long term investment and will provide a permanent income to farmers after three or four years. Farmers can also sell the seedlings in order to generate income. Each seeding trees price can be ranges from $1 and up based on the size of the seedling tree.
In Laos, local farmers travel to the jungle to search for wild seedlings and transfer the plants to their farm. They are very difficult to transfer since the Agarwood tree is very sensitive. Lao Science/SEDA is supporting technical experts to train the farmers. The farmers are eager to learn how to protect the trees and expand their agriculture practices as as a long term solution to reduce poverty.
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