The Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with Korea Consultant International in JV with SAMAN-ASIN on October 31 organized the 2nd Workshop for Training Plan under the Establishment Irrigation Technical Training Centre Project, with financial support from the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea.

Mr Young-Wook Park (left) and Dr Khamphachanh Vongsana chair the workshop.

The project cost is US$4,578,000 and is taking place over five years from 2021-2025. The objective of the workshop is to report project progress and consultation concerning the training programme for the remaining project period.
The Establishment Irrigation Technical Training Centre Project (ITTC) has the following objectives:
1. For the dissemination and expansion of advanced agricultural technologies, the Irrigation Technology Training Centre (ITTC) will be established to expand research facilities, and through this, the educational function will be strengthened on the latest irrigation technology, soil and water quality.
2. Develop water resources and expand irrigated areas by acquiring the latest irrigation technology. – Contribute to the improvement of agricultural productivity by acquiring technologies such as rural development, irrigation, climate change response, information processing, and water quality management.
3. By strengthening the educational function of advanced agricultural technology according to the establishment of the irrigation technology training center, the capacity building of experts in water resource development, irrigation, and water quality will be achieved, and the sustainability of agricultural productivity will be secured.
4. Achieving human capacity building through systematic and professional agricultural technology and knowledge transfer.
Project components consist of:
1. Building training facilities, offices, dormitory and laboratory
2. Dispatching experts from Korea and Laos
3.Local training programme
4. Invitation training in Korea
5. Provide equipment
Project progress to date: the civil works (construction) and installation of equipment will be completed in March 2024 and the training programme for capacity building for irrigation engineers will take place from May 2024 to 2025.
Addressing the workshop, the Representative of the Korean Rural Community Corporation (KRC) to Laos, Mr Young-Wook Park, said: “Once the Centre is completed, we will do our best to promote [and share] the rich agricultural and rural development experience, knowhow and technology of the Republic of Korea for Laos’ agriculture and rural development.” 
Park added, “We will execute the assistance in accordance with targets.”
KRC is a key implementer of the project, which is being developed on eight hectares.
Through an interpreter, Mr Park said the Korean government expects the Centre will be most effectively used for the maximum benefit of Laos. The Acting Director General of the Department of Irrigation, Dr Khamphachanh Vongsana, thanked the Korean government and people and the KRC for extending the grant and for the transfer of technical knowhow to irrigation engineers through the implementation of the project.The project is significant for upgrading knowhow for technical engineers in the irrigation and natural resource development sectors. Technical staff will also gain expertise in quality control for building modern irrigation systems.
“This will contribute to realising the Agriculture Development Strategy 2025 and Vision 2030,” Dr Khamphachanh said. He said the Centre will provide training not only to state technical staff, but also for employees of private businesses and ordinary people who need to learn about new irrigation technology.