Laos needs to promote sericulture (the production of silk products) in the effort to create jobs for local people in response to labour market demands.
A recent training session was attended by a representative of the Vientiane Agriculture and Forest Research Centre and an administrator of the Lao Handicrafts Association.
The Lao Handicrafts Association is concerned for the future of sericulture because the local people are leaving the industry for other more enticing occupations and has therefore implemented the “Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project” to help build labourers skills in areas like sericulture.
The policy to support sustainable sericulture aims to respond to the demand for silk products by ensuring the long term viability of the business.
President of the Lao Handicrafts Association, Mr Hansana Sisane spoke about the issue on Wednesday in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, at the second training course on the skill development programme of sericulture as part of the Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project.
He said during the training course, the participants exchanged knowledge and ideas on the sericulture so as to improve their knowledge through the training and sharing of information.
As part of this project, communities are required to implement a viable and sustainable sericulture management model. This means that villages can earn income from the sericulture for sale to markets. An important aspect of maintaining the industry is ensuring that sericulture still exists as an occupation for the future generations of Laos, he said.
“I think the training plays an important role in providing knowledge and methods to the local people, who will generate revenue for their families from sericulture,” he added.
For several years, the business of Lao handicrafts has continued to develop. But, we still haven’t responded to the demand for silk products in the business sector because sericulture at the local level has decreased.
According to the association, the Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project aims to promote vocational skills training to ensure continued improvement in national productivity, job creation in the formal and informal sectors, an increase in agricultural productivity to create jobs in rural areas and the establishment of technical, vocational education and training networks to assist both men and women, especially the poor, disabled and vulnerable, to respond to labour market demands.
Source: Vientiane Times
