Bokeo banana export to China may grow despite freeze on expansion, health risks
Bokeo banana export to China may grow despite freeze on expansion, health risks
Bokeo provincial authorities believe the number of bananas the province will export to China will increase this year compared with last, despite the Bokeo governor's decision last year to cease the expansion of the crop's production area.
The province exported more than 10,000 tonnes of bananas in 2012 and last year increased its output to around 30,000 tonnes, according to the provincial Industry and Commerce Department.
Banana production has expanded into most of Bokeo's districts and Chinese companies have invested in the crop, department senior official Ms Sonenaly Saphackdy told Vientiane Times yesterday.
The top banana-producing districts in the province are Tonpheung, Phaoudom and Huayxai, Ms Sonenaly said.
The Chinese companies have invested under a system whereby they sign contracts with banana farmers that are then certified by village authorities and agreed upon by authorities at the district and provincial levels.
The companies formulated a policy to rent the farmers' land for 2,000-3,000 baht (500,000-750,000 kip) per 1,600 square metres for between five and 10 years depending on the farmers' decision, Ms Sonenaly said.
Farmers who commit to contracts with the Chinese investors will receive income from the land concession payments.
People living very close to banana farms have complained to district and provincial leaders about the environmental impacts caused by the heavy use of herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilisers, Ms Sonenaly said.
“After [we received complaints] a provincial taskforce unit that comprised representatives from every sector collected impact information and checked the problem,” she said.
“We have known that the farming of crops has a significant impact on the environment.”
Ms Sonenaly said the environmental problems had affected the health of those living nearby and some people had become sick.
Some of the companies have not registered their investments with the Lao government or the provincial authorities.
Others have borrowed documentation from Lao businesspeople to use in the investment process rather than registering themselves.
As a result of these shortcomings in documentation, Bokeo authorities are unsure whether banana production areas have grown since the governor announced the halt in expansion.
But the provincial department reported the numbers of companies investing in banana crops increased from 5-6 in recent years to more than 10 at present.
Oudomxay and Luang Namtha provinces have experienced similar environmental problems with their banana crops and have also stopped expanding production.
Bananas are the top commercial crop in Bokeo province but authorities are currently reviewing whether or not to allow expansion to continue in the light of the health risks posed.
vientiane times
