Phongsavanh Bank to finance Vientiane agriculture development zone
Phongsavanh Bank to finance Vientiane agriculture development zone
Phongsavanh Bank, one of the main commercial banks in Laos, plans to provide financial support to help Vientiane authorities build an agriculture development zone to produce food for consumption domestically and abroad.
The Phoutakoy agriculture development zone, which is located in Ban Yainachaleun in Sangthong district, some 30 km from Vientiane, will not only become a vegetable and livestock production centre but also a centre of learning.
Phongsavanh Bank President, Dr Od Phongsavanh led a delegation from Khon Kaen University in Thail and to the zone last week, so they could collect information and help set up the zone development plan.
According to the zone development concept, Phoutakoy agriculture development zone in Sangthong district will be established as a production hub and training centre which can provide lessons for other agriculture development zones.
This project is in line with government policies to create a good model for rural developm ent in Laos. The project area is 36 hectares in , where food will be grown for both domestic consumption and supply to processing plants for export after processing.
Vientiane authorities will play an import role to help the farmers in the vill age when it comes to accessing both domestic and overseas markets.
At present, the management board of the agriculture development zone is choosing active farmers to attend training courses in Thailand so that they can bring back knowledge to develop the zone.
The five-year project is expected to create a number of jobs and more income for the local villagers, which should help them to rise above the poverty line.
According to project officials, the development commenced four months ago. In the upcoming months, the project will begin to demarcate land for the agriculture development area, in particular an organic vegetable production zone, an industrial zone and also some tourist sites.
The project will also promote the establishment of associations such as organic vegetable production groups, and hotel and guesthouse groups so that they can cooperate with each other in delivering services for visitors.
The farmers and hotel and guesthouse owners will be provided with English language training opportunities as part of the project. It will also promote the establishment of a home stay service. The farmers will benefit both from providing home stay facilities and also serving organic food for their visitors.
vientiane times
