The Greater Mekong sub-region - comprising Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China - is geographically located among the fastest growing economies of both South and East Asia. It is home to about 334 million people – of which 19% are living in poverty.

Rice is a strategic commodity as poverty reduction and overall economic growth in the region depends on an adequate, affordable, and stable supply of this staple crop.

Rice production is an important source of livelihood for about 60 million people in the Greater Mekong sub-region, making the success of the agriculture sector a central feature in reducing poverty.

Organized by the Agriculture Global Practice and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program, the regional workshop “Rice Sector Development for Poverty Reduction in the Greater Mekong Sub-region” will focus on reviewing rice strategies and action plans of the lower-income countries in the region: Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.

In this workshop, discussions will concentrate on sharing cross-country experiences and knowledge on enhancing the competitiveness of rice value chains, capitalizing on new export opportunities, and increasing the impact of the rice sector on food security, nutrition, and poverty alleviation.

The workshop will bring together officials from the ministries of agriculture, commerce, economy and finance from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar; representatives of private sector organizations (Cambodia Rice Federation, Myanmar Rice Federation, and Lao Rice Mills); academia (Kasetsart University of Thailand, Myanmar Development Resource Institute, and Yezin Agricultural University of Myanmar); and development partners (World Bank Group, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Program, and Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund).