By Souphalack Inphonephong
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) facilitated a consultation last week on irrigated groundwater management at the community level in Attapeu Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
The 42 participants, including residents from the villages of Inthy and Donephay as well as district authorities, discussed the groundwater management regulations and their implementation. The meeting was co-chaired by the Vice District Governor, Phoudone Choummaly, and the Director of the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), Khounsamay Viengphachanh.
The village representatives committed to implementing all the management regulations, producing a plan to ensure effective use of groundwater and to establish a fund for maintenance. Villagers noted that support may be required for solar cell and other major maintenance as well as extension support from DAFO for agricultural production.
The Vice District Governor welcomed IWMI and CGIAR support in establishing Inthy as a development model village in support of the district socioeconomic development plan. IWMI’s work in Attapeu is carried out under the CGIAR Initiatives on Agroecology and National Policies and Strategies.
