Agriculture in Lao PDR

This week we travel virtually to Lao People's Democratic Republic in southeastern Asia. We explore the countryside and agriculture projects being implemented via the video linked below. We encourage you to utilize the discussion points provided to guide your conversations with others around the globe!

Agriculture Projects in LAO PDR

Discussion Points

• As you watch the video how does agriculture in Lao PDR and your local area share similarities and differences?
• Training and education are mentioned often throughout the video. How would a lack of training impact these initiatives and why?
• Of the six initiatives shared which one do you feel can have the greatest positive impact and why?
• What can you take and/or learn from this video and utilize in your local area?

World's Largest Pig Farm

The world's largest pig farm is being constructed in China and is projected to produce around 2.1 million hogs per year. With this come challenges and opportunities. We encourage you to explore the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe.

Chinese Hog Producer Builds World's Largest Pig Farm

Discussion Points

• What factors have contributed to producers in China building larger and larger pig farms?
• What in the article surprised you and why?
• Identify the opportunities and challenges that are being created by these larger and larger operations.
• How might this farm and trend impact hog producers in your local area as well as others around the world?

Water and Agriculture

 There are so many important aspects to agriculture, but water is by far one of the most important. Travel around the world in the video linked below to discover the challenges and opportunities facing us around water and agriculture. Utilize the discussion points below to strike up conversations with others around the globe.

Overcoming Water Challenges in Agriculture

Discussion Points

• In the video several factors are shared that are leading to scarcity or higher pressure on water systems. What are these factors and which one do you feel creates the largest challenge and why?
• Likewise, several opportunities or solutions are provided as well. Identify the top solutions and explain your reasonings?
• Does water usage in agriculture look different around the world? What are those in agriculture doing to conserve and protect water in your local region? How does this differ in other parts of the world?
• Agriculture can sometimes be blamed for environmental/waters problems. How do we make sure that agriculture is part of the solution and that this story is told?