Land concession granted for pomelo plantation
Land concession granted for pomelo plantation
An agribusiness operator recently received a land concession to establish a pomelo plantation in Viengphoukha district, Luang Namtha province.
The Khammixay Agricultural Promotion Enterprise signed a land concession agreement with the district's Industry and Commerce Office, witnessed by district Deputy Governor Mr Bounthong Norkhamheuang.
Under the contract, district authorities have granted about 47 hectares of land to the company to establish the plantation in Phouleth village, for domestic supply and for export.
The contract also says the project won't negatively impact the environment.
The company initially requested a land concession of 50 hectares but the authorities approved a 47 hectare site.
The company was granted a seven year concession which can be extended for another seven years.
The company will pay about 700,000 kip to rent each hectare of land.
The concession area is sloping and covered in reeds so it is not suitable for rice cultivation, said Office Head Mr Bounkham Yommalath.
The venture will provide jobs for workers and generate income for their families. Pomelo takes about 4-5 years to bear fruit after planting.
Mr Bounkham said this would be the first pomelo plantation in the district, following on from sugarcane and banana plantations in previous years.
One former sugarcane plantation covered 100 hectares of land but farmers stopped working the plantation when buyers stopped purchasing the crop.
A former banana plantation covered more than 90 hectares and was funded by Chinese companies.
