H.E. Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith, President of Lao People's Democratic Republic visited Phonemuang village, one of the KOICA Saemaul Development Pilot villages in Savannakhet Province, last Friday, 25 May 2018.

At Ponemuang village hall,
Mr. Bounieng Sikhammounty, village leader reported on the implementation of the Saemaul Project that KOICA supports Village hall construction, Inner road improvement, Living water supply, Grassland Improvement, Mushroom cultivation, Weir road improvement, Primary School Construction, High Quality Rice Seed Production Center, and other more projects as well.

Mr. President emphasized that it is very important to increase the income for farm households and therefore it is necessary to raise income by improving rice production productivity.
- use fertilizers, improve seeds, and improve marketing
- raise income through the Saemaul projects
- it will be necessary to improve the education level of rural villages while strengthening the support of green school activities.
- students should be encouraged to practice their activities at school so that they can go home and take care of housework.
- improving the diet for the health of the rural villagers, and raising the village fund.

Next, Mr. President visited High Quality Rice Seed Production Center.

Mr. Philavanh, PAFO officer in charge of Rice Value Chain Improvement Project reported the center operation status; Dryer supported by KOICA, the capacity is 6 tons, automatically controlled, designed to use the chaff furnace to reduce the use of electricity.

Mr. President commented that
"I think rice seed business is a good project. Governor of Savannaket and District governor of Champhone should have responsibilities to make sustainable farmer's organization even if the project is over."

It is a great honor to meet President and introduce our SMU project at Phonemuang village, Savannakhet !