Noy’s journey in mushroom farming

At just 19, Noy, from Bolikhamxay Province, is proving that the future of Lao agriculture lies in the hands of its youth. After completing a three-month vocational training course in mushroom cultivation supported by the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, she is now turning her knowledge into practice. While many of her peers dream of working abroad, Noy is cultivating her own opportunities at home. Her story highlights how practical skills training can empower young people to build sustainable livelihoods in their own communities.

Noy, a 19-year-old from Ban Phoukhoun village in Bolikhan District, Bolikhamxay Province, is building a future in agriculture. She completed a three-month certificate level 1 vocational training course in mushroom cultivation at the Bolikhamxay Technical and Vocational School, graduating in May 2025. The training was supported by the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, which aims to equip young people with practical skills for sustainable livelihoods.

After graduation, Noy began cultivating khonkhao/white shelf mushrooms at home. Her father recently supported her by providing 15 mango logs, which she will use as a substrate. She also ordered mushroom spawn online from Vientiane Capital to expand her production. In March 2026, when the weather becomes warmer, she plans to produce 1,000 bags of oyster mushrooms. She has already prepared the land and regularly helps at the mushroom farm of her former teacher to gain more hands-on experience.

Noy’s goal is to run a small-scale mushroom farm as her main source of income. Like many smallholder farmers in Lao PDR, she is also diversifying her activities to reduce risk and increase resilience. She is currently learning rubber nursery techniques and practicing with 100 seedlings in polybags. In addition, she raises 30 native chickens and maintains a small home garden. By integrating mushroom, vegetable and poultry production, she plans to recycle organic waste and make better use of available resources.

Noy’s story shows how vocational training can offer rural youth a viable alternative to migration by helping them build sustainable livelihoods at home.

The Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry programme is cofinanced by the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union. It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.