Support for purchasing agricultural products from Laos

Quang Tri has a land border of more than 187 km adjacent to the two provinces of Savannakhet and Salavan, Lao PDR. In recent times, cross-border trade activities, especially the purchase of agricultural products from Laos, have contributed positively to increasing income and improving the lives of people in border areas.

A fresh cassava root buyer in Phuong village, Sepon district, Savannakhet province (Laos) - Photo: D.V

From November 2023, Ton Quang Anh Company Limited in Huong Hoa district has been approved by the People's Committee of Quang Tri province to support residents on both sides of the border to exchange and transport agricultural products through Thanh sub-border gate, Huong Hoa district. At the purchasing point in Denvilay village, Muong Noong district, Savannakhet province, in addition to purchasing at double the previous price, the company also implements many preferential policies for cassava growers in Laos.

Mr. Vo Quang Anh, Director of Ton Quang Anh Company Limited, said: “In the past, our company has invested and supported capital, rice, seeds, and land preparation before the crop season began to help people grow cassava in Laos. When the harvest season comes, the company will purchase cassava for people. In 2024, the company will continue to support people growing cassava in Laos in a similar way. This will create conditions for the company to proactively purchase agricultural products, while creating jobs and income for people on both sides of the border.”

Located in the area, in recent times, Thanh Border Guard Station, Huong Hoa district has always paid attention to and created favorable conditions for people on both sides of the border to trade goods conveniently, in accordance with the border regulations and rules of the two countries Vietnam - Laos.

Major Nguyen Van Chinh, Political Commissar of Thanh Border Guard Station, said: “The Party Committee and Command of Thanh Border Guard Station regularly pay attention to and direct local forces, especially the control stations, to provide maximum support for people on both sides of the border to exchange goods, as well as serve their daily needs. During that process, we also require people to strictly comply with the regulations and agreements on Vietnam-Laos border regulations.”

Previously, most of the cassava area in Phuong village, Se Pon district, Savannakhet province, after harvest, was often sold to Thailand or sold locally at a fairly low price. Now, with the support of the government, departments and branches of the two neighboring provinces of Quang Tri - Savannakhet, cassava is brought to Quang Tri to be sold at a good price and conveniently, making the people of Phuong village very excited.

Mr. Si Tha Ka Si Xong Det, Head of Phuong Village, Se Pon District, Savannakhet Province said: “In our village, there are nearly 150 households growing cassava, each household has a cassava area of about 4 - 5 hectares. There are families growing large areas, harvesting from 40 - 50 tons, and on average each household harvests about 20 - 30 tons of cassava. The current price of cassava is from 2,000 - 2,200 kip/kg. Traders come to the fields to buy directly, so people save on transportation costs. This year's cassava crop, our people have both a good harvest and good prices, so we have a fairly high income, thanks to which our economic life is more prosperous."

Mr. Si Tha Ka Si Xong Det also owns a number of plows to serve the people in production. Taking advantage of the favorable weather, people in Phuong village are currently harvesting the last rows of cassava and plowing the land to plant new crops.

It is known that cassava purchased from Laos is brought to consume at a number of cassava starch processing factories in the province. In 2023, Huong Hoa Cassava Starch Factory alone purchased about 1,000 tons of fresh cassava roots from people along the border of Savannakhet and Salavan provinces, Laos, bordering Quang Tri.

Hieu Giang

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