Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) in Rural Laos

The Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) project in Lao PDR aims to improve food security and nutrition for 200,000 direct beneficiaries across six vulnerable provinces. The project employs a 'farm-to-fork' value chain approach, combining climate-smart agricultural inputs, diversified farming systems, and watershed management to mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts. Key interventions include the establishment of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) for gender-responsive extension, the introduction of solar-powered irrigation, and the restoration of 60,000 hectares of land per province annually through agroforestry and reforestation. The project is structured as a 100% grant of approximately 40.79 million USD, focusing on both adaptation and mitigation through carbon sequestration.

• Lao PDR faces significant food security challenges, with an estimated 44% of children under five experiencing stunted growth and 27% being severely underweight.
• Climate projections for Lao PDR indicate mean annual temperatures will increase by 1 to 4°C by 2100, and rainy season rainfall is expected to increase by 10-30%.
• The project targets six highly vulnerable provinces: Oudomxay, Huaphanh, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Savannakhét, and Saravan, based on physical and socio-economic vulnerability criteria.
• The project aims to reach 200,000 direct beneficiaries and 500,000 indirect beneficiaries, targeting a 15% reduction in the number of food insecure individuals.
• To overcome limited government extension resources, the project will implement a farmer-to-farmer extension model using Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and Climate Farmer Field Schools (CFS).
• The project will introduce climate-smart agricultural practices, including the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), solar-powered pumping systems for irrigation, and integrated pest management (IPM).
• The project intends to restore 60,000 hectares per province annually, utilizing assisted natural regeneration (15,000 ha), reforestation/afforestation (15,000 ha), and agroforestry (30,000 ha).
• Financial barriers to adaptation will be addressed by establishing village banks and providing training in financial literacy, specifically targeting women through the Lao Women’s Union.
• The project is funded as a 100% grant with a total project financing of 40.78920 million USD, with 40 million USD requested from the GCF.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2016). Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) in Rural Laos. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/15470-resilient-integrated-food-systems-rifs-rural-laos.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) in Rural Laos. 2016. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/15470-resilient-integrated-food-systems-rifs-rural-laos.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) in Rural Laos |date=13 September 2016 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/15470-resilient-integrated-food-systems-rifs-rural-laos.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2016resilient, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Resilient Integrated Food Systems (RIFS) in Rural Laos}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2016}, month = sep, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/15470-resilient-integrated-food-systems-rifs-rural-laos.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }