Vientiane - - - Traditional Lao 'ghost paper', used in religious rituals for hundreds of years, is about to get a modern makeover, allowing artisans to increase their income and break into international markets.

The paper made from bamboo is produced and sold by households in Ban Namchang, Bokeo Province, who each earn around 74 500 kip/year from selling the ghost paper.

"Through the project Enhancing Agriculture Competitiveness of Rural Households in the Greater Mekong Subregion, FAO identified a huge opportunity for villagers producing ghost paper, requiring only minimal adjustments such as the use of modern technology to improve quality, appearance, and product designs of the paper and find new users or niche markets for the bamboo paper products to increase market access," said Orawan Ananvoranich, Regional Coordinator, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Four training sessions held in Ban Namchang from January to June 2009, focussing on up-to-date production and natural dying technologies to assist the farmers in diversifying their products for new markets. Villagers made origami, postcards, paper bags and boxes. Samples have been sent out to potential buyers in Thailand, Japan and the United States.

"FAO aims to give the people better options by training them on how to produce good quality, competitive agricultural products. The people of Ban Namchang Village were very determined and diligent in learning the new processes of producing bamboo paper," says Dr Orawan. "We need to look for ways we can improve our products whilst continuing to be environment friendly," she added.

The training was conducted by Anansawake Haesungcharern, Associate Professor, Chiangmai University, Ekkasith Khemnguad, a Thai expert on origami, and Orawan Ananvoranich.

The project aims to improve livelihoods, income and agricultural competitiveness of rural households by developing pro-poor rural household modalities for competitive production and processing, commodity chain integration and inter-regional marketing; analyzing and disseminating experience and developing strategic liaisons around the interests of the poor rural households.

For more information, contact Siena.Perry@fao.org

Press release issued by the office of the FAO Representative in Lao PDR.