Ketsana-pummelled provinces pursue planting targets

Vientiane Times
 
The three provinces most affected by tropical storm Ketsana are
struggling valiantly to reach their dry season rice-planting target.
 
A wide area of agricultural land was severely affected by flooding
associated with the storm.
 
The three provinces of Xekong, Attapeu and Saravan are repairing
irrigation systems which were damaged by tropical storm Ketsana in
September.
 
It is hoped they can complete the renovation work within the next
week.
 
Saravan province's deputy governor, Mr Sisouvanh Vongchormsy, told
Vientiane Times yesterday his province plans to resume rice
cultivation on more than 8,000 hectares.
 
Renovation and repair of most of the 30 irrigation systems damaged by
the storm has already been completed, Mr Sisouvanh said.
 
The storm's damage totalled 114 billion kip in the province alone,
including 19 billion kip of damage to irrigation systems.
 
Farmers do not have to worry about rice seeds, Mr Sisouvanh said,
adding that the provincial authority in collaboration with the central
government had prepared enough for farmers' planting purposes.
 
“Seed isn't a problem, because only those people living on slopes and
mountainous areas lost all their grain when the flood swept away rice
stockpiles,” Mr Sisouvanh told Vientiane Times. These have since been
furnished with new seed.
 
Additionally, the provincial authority has been given fertiliser to
distribute to affected growers.
 
Mr Sisouvanh said the province would reduce import taxes on fertiliser
for companies importing the product for supply to affected farmers.
 
“We will also monitor them closely to make sure they charge fair
prices.”
 
In Attapeu province, authorities hope to double last year's dry season
rice cultivation from more than 500 hectares to 1,100 hectares with
the hope of restoring rice sufficiency.
 
Many large rice fields were damaged by major storms including Ketsana.
 
Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department Director, Mr Soukchai
Silapa, said that some 70 tonnes of rice seed had been distributed to
farmers.
 
The province hopes to be able to increase crop growing areas after
expanding irrigation channels and repairing the damaged systems.
 
Xekong was also one of the most seriously affected provinces following
the onslaught, with 16 major irrigation systems damaged.
 
However, 10 of them have been completely repaired.
 
The remainder are set to be finished this month, according to Deputy
provincial Governor Mr Phonphet Kiewlavong.
 
But the province has already seen a fall in the planting target from
890 hectares last dry season to 860 hectares this season.
 
Timely repair work on irrigation systems has been made possible thanks
to government guidance, working with contracting companies to plan
ahead for mitigation of the effects of natural disasters.