Rumours of leaked chemicals in banana farms

Xayaboury province is imposing restrictions on banana farms as there were reports that suggest the u…

Xayaboury province is imposing restrictions on banana farms as there were reports that suggest the use of harmful chemicals which leaked into the soil and threatened local livelihoods in several provinces.

The Governor of the north western province, Mr Phongsavanh Sitthavong has said that Xayaboury would only allow companies that had already been granted concession to plant bananas on approved areas and new investments or expansions of existing plantations is not allowed.

Recently, the provincial authorities have given the green light to three companies, two in China ad one in Laos, to establish banana farms on hundreds of hectares. The approval for this came after Luang Namtha, Oudomxay and Bokeo provinces banned the expansion of existing banana farms and new investments following reports of chemical threats to nearby communities.

The land given to these three companies is far away from rice fields and any chemicals used on the banana crop would not spread into farmland owned by local people. Due to the reports of the chemicals, officials are to pay close attention to the operation of these new plantations to make sure they are managed in line with acceptable safety standards.

Bananas have been planted on 11,000 hectares in Bokeo, 4,000 in Oudomxay and 1,000 in Luang Namtha.

However, provincial authorities have no suspended investment in banana farms and the expansion of existing farms whilst inspections are happening to investigate the complaints about these chemicals damaging crops and livestock of villagers.