DISSEMINATION WORKSHOP ON IMPROVING THE POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF LETTUCE IN LAO PDR

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Hatsayfong, Vientiane, Lao PDR, December 24, 2015 – To bring on board different stakeholders at different levels who aim to raise awareness and uptake the best practices of postharvest handling of fresh produce, a dissemination workshop on “Improving the Postharvest Handling of Lettuce in Lao PDR was organized by the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in close collaboration with Mekong Institute (MI). Twenty Lao government officials and farmer representatives participated as part of the training program on postharvest practices organized in MI last May 2015. The workshop also included providing knowledge on the importance of the vegetable value chain. 

Mr. Vilaysack CHANTHAVONG, Head of Hatkunsa Village, presided over the workshop and stressed the importance of sharing knowledge on postharvest management since one of the major concerns currently faced by Lao farmers is postharvest losses. Farmers and concerned stakeholders need to have a better understanding on how to improve lettuce handling management to reduce the losses. Posters and brochures were disseminated to raise awareness of postharvest best practices. Some challenges were highlighted and addressed during the workshop, such as the role of the collector/middleman who plays a major part in the postharvest management. The workshop was conducted under the support of New Zealand Aid Programme.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.