Fruit orchards to put Pakxong on tourist map
Fruit orchards to put Pakxong on tourist map
Pakxong district in Champassak province is becoming a tourist attraction thanks to its fresh produce after a Thai company established fruit orchards in the district.
One plantation covers around 100 hectares in the Nam Xekatarm area, which is about 30km from the town of Pakxong, while another 100-hectare plantation can be found near Nam Kot village, about 20 km from the town centre. The orchards have been planted out over the last three years.
The Thai company is growing oranges, papaya, bananas, litchee and grapes, Director of the provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Soupany Silipounyo, told Vientiane Times last week.
These areas are attracting people travelling between Champassak and Attapeu provinces. Some stop off to drink orange juice while others buy fruit to take home with them, he said. The plantations are also creating job opportunities, especially for local people, he added.
These areas are now turning into models of fruit production in the province after provincial authorities tried to encourage foreign investors to look into the feasibility of growing cash crops.
The provincial authorities plan to promote the area as a tourist attraction, saying the orchards offer great potential in this respect.
As well as rice, the authorities are turning their attention to other crops, hoping to boost the incomes of local people as well as provincial revenues.
Cashew nuts are one crop that has generated income for local people for many years, Mr Soupany said.
The province now has almost 4,000 hectares of cashew nuts, mostly in Khong, Mounlapamok, Pathoumphon and Sanasomboun districts.
Farmers can sell the nuts for 8,000-10,000 kip a kg, which is good price and has remained stable over the years, he said.
Champassak province has more than 200 officially designated tourist sites. More than 100 are known for their scenic beauty, 40 are of historical interest and 55 are cultural attractions.
After experiencing the beauty of the islands in the Mekong River, the waterfalls and the lifestyle of laid-back Khong Island, visitors are encouraged to make the journey into the hills and enjoy the cool climate of Pakxong district.
Pakxong has 57 tourist sites, of which 38 are areas of natural beauty, nine are historical sites and the rest are of cultural interest. In addition, no one should leave Pakxong without sampling the coffee, for which the district is best known.
