Coffee leads agro export

Coffee ranks first leading agriculture produce export of the Lao PDR, generating at least USD30 million of revenues on annual basis.

Arabica coffee prices in the world market reached US$ 5,000 per tonne as market demand is increasing. As a result coffee plantation attracts much attention of local farmers, according to President of the Lao Coffee Association, Sinouk Sisombath.

Mr. Sinouk said at a meeting on sustainable investment in Vientiane on May 19 that his association was paying more attention to the promotion and development of Lao coffee to have higher quality through improving farming and harvesting techniques of coffee growers.

However, he said "most entrepreneurs face shortage of financial assistance and farmland. Regarding this issue, it is necessary for the government to give hand to improve coffee production in the country and ensure larger coffee export."

Mr. Sinouk said the government should provide a better access to low interest loan service for local farmers as coffee production is capital-intensive business.

Besides to financial assistance, said Mr. Sinouk "the government should allocate more land for local farmers by further keeping Bolaven plateau for coffee plantation and avoiding further allocation of land for foreign investors to exploit the area."

kpl

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