First Lao Agar Development Conference
First Lao Agar Development Conference
The First Lao Agar Development Conference was organised recently by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at Pakxan district, Borikhamxay province on Monday, sponsored and supported by Lao Agar International Development Co. Ltd. (LAID), and the HSMM Group.
The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Phet Phomphiphak, Borikhamxay provincial Deputy Governor Dr Souvanny Saysana, Indian Ambassador to Laos, Mr C. Gururaj Rao, Mr Sadik Mohammad Chowdhury, Managing Director of Lao Agar Int'l Development Co. Ltd., guests and representatives of the farmers of Laos.
The main objective of the conference is to spread awareness about agarwood plantations among the farmers of Laos. The conference also focused on the projects that can be handled with cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, for the betterment of the nation.
Dr Phet mentioned the popularity of agarwood across Laos and pointed that there are many Agarwood plantations in Borikhamxay province, Vientiane province and Champassak which altogether cover over 50,000 hectares of land.
He said that it is essential to understand and learn about agarwood from the real time experience of entrepreneurs and exchange information in regards to its production and marketing.
Dr Phet further stated that certain issues must be resolved by the representatives soon so that it could provide income for farmers which in turn can eradicate poverty and enhance their living standards.
The opening speech was presided over by the Managing Director of Lao Agar International Development, Mr Sadik Mohammad Chowdhury. The company's business practices and its expertise in agarwood and related products were briefed.
Future projects were also explained during the conference. He said that HSMM Group is a good corporate citizen taking part in social causes in the Lao PDR and expressed confidence that the country will be developed with the cooperation of the farmers of Laos.
Mr Sadik mentioned in his speech that the vision of the company is to plant “a million agarwood trees” in Laos. Through this vision the company wants to contribute to th e fight against global warming.
The Company also plan to setup the first Perfume Factory in the Lao PDR by the end of this year. Later the company also plans to setup an Agar Leaf Tea Manufacturing Factory in the Lao PDR. The company is also in process of developing a Diploma in Horticulture with support from the National University of Laos and Nagaland University and Assam University from India.
In addition, the company wants to create earning opportunities for the farmers of the Lao PDR. The company is devoted towards raising the livelihoods of the people in the Lao PDR thus contributing to the socioeconomic development of the country.
Director General of the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute Dr Sourioudong Sundara gave a presentation on agar along with the complex processes and techniques used for processing. The presentation included the different varieties of agarwood available across the country.
He explained that the processes are undergone with utmost care in each level starting from planting, providing necessary nutrients to plants, at plantation sites and during extraction. The quality of agar and difference in the quality in the international market is also reasoned.
Later Indian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr C. Gururaj Rao, addressed the media, saying that assistance will be provided for the problems discussed in the conference if approached.
He said that the HSMM Group is well known not only for their business approach but also for their charities, their contribution to socio-economic development of the Lao PDR and for strengthening the ties between Lao and Indian businesses and entrepreneurs in Laos.
He applauded the Lao workforce as resourceful and hardworking, mentioning that competition is stiff within the Asean region and “survival of the fittest” will have strategies to derive the best output.
Mr Sadik Mohammad Chowdhury then addressed the media. He said that the country will be poverty free only when farmers live a better life. He mentioned that generating income and increasing the standard of living of the farmers by transferring technology is the key purpose of the Lao Agar Development Conference.
The First Lao Agar Development Conference ended on a positive note after having brief discussions on the agar plantation contracts made by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the doubts of the representativ es regarding the entire process were answered. The tax system and policies of t he country were also mentioned during the session.
vientiane times
