The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) (population 7.2 million in 2021) is a low middle-income Southeast Asia country with a high prevalence of malnutrition, high stunting rates, and widespread micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs).
At 206 kg per person per year, the country’s per capita rice consumption is among the highest in the world (United States Department of Agriculture 2020) and rice is therefore an appropriate vehicle for food fortification to reduce the incidence of MNDs. WFP is currently conducting acceptability studies for fortified rice in government social protection programmes. Government stakeholders indicate interest in scaling up rice fortification in the country while at the same time rice millers stress the need to create demand and to ensure that they will make a profit from rice fortification as a business model for long term sustainability as well.
