VIENTIANE: Laos is on track to export 210 tonnes of rosella fruit to South Korea this year, and plans to expand commercial cultivation to include black and white sesame and large onions to be sent to the Korean market.
The Lao Agricultural Business Association (LABA) launched a project in Vientiane province last week to promote the cultivation of these items.
Rosella fruit trees have already been planted and are growing well on 2,135 hectares. The project plans to increase the cultivation area if the ongoing trial proves successful. Other crops are planned to be cultivated later.
Rosella is a hardy plant and can survive long dry spells. It produces red fruit that is high in vitamin C. It has a pleasant tart-sweet flavour and can be used to make jellies, red sauces, jams, cordials, syrups, tea and wine. The fruit is popular worldwide.
A trade agreement was signed at the 3F Lao Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative farm in Nathep village of Phonhong district in the central province.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Bounleuth Luangaseuth, the President of the LABA, Bounthieng Lattanavong, and the President of South Korean food technology company RAWGA, Sungku Shim, along with government officials, district authorities, representatives of financial institutions and growers.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote agricultural exports and strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
The LABA project is managed by the LNCCI, which acts as a coordination centre. It brings together business units, producer groups and supplier groups to link with the government, financial institutions and markets or buyers of goods under the four-partner model, the Association’s Vice President, Khanthong Sipaseut, said.
The launch of the project was an opportunity for the participating parties to learn about guidelines, policies, production and marketing information, and sources of capital, and to get to know each other, he said.
The event included a demonstration of a drone spraying fertiliser provided by the Department of Agriculture. This year, the LABA has expanded the rosella project to involve six parties - the 3F Cooperative, Thaxang Organic Agricultural Cooperative, Saen-oudom group, Hart Viengkham group, 35Km groups in Savannakhet province, and the Sam Nam Paluay Agricultural Company.
During the visit to the farm, LABA President Bounthieng Lattanavong and Khanthong Sipaseut (acting as the crop seller) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sungku Shim (the buyer).
The agreement provides a framework for business cooperation concerning rosella, black and white sesame, large onions and other crops to meet growing market demand.
Farmers interested in participating in the project can make enquiries with the LABA. The Association regulates prices and specialists can advise farmers on the best ways to grow high-quality products.
Rosella is easy to grow, can be grown in almost any area, is affected by few pests, does not take long to grow, can be harvested after four months or 110 days, and produces good yields. - Vientiane Times/ANN
