VIENTIANE, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for accelerated efforts to strengthen food security, modernize agricultural production, and improve the management of land, forest, and water resources.

Photo taken on July 15, 2022 shows a view of the town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO's world heritage site in Laos. (Photo: Xinhua)

According to a report by the Lao News Agency on Monday, Sonexay delivered the message during a meeting held on Saturday to review the agriculture and forestry sector in 2025.

Speaking at the meeting, Sonexay stressed that agricultural production must follow a self-reliant economic path, with priority given to strengthening domestic capacity in plant and animal breeding, scientific innovation, and key production inputs.

He called for greater attention to soil improvement, protection of productive farmland, and the development of concentrated production zones supported by appropriate infrastructure. Expanding domestic production of animal feed, fertilizers, pesticides, and veterinary medicine was also emphasized to reduce reliance on imports.

Effective water management was highlighted as vital to increasing output, with expanded wet-season rice cultivation and greater focus on high-value dry-season crops. Strengthening food processing, sanitation standards, trade circulation, seed banks, and food reserves would improve resilience against natural disasters and climate change.