VIENTIANE – Laos exported its first 50 tonnes of rice to the European Union, local daily Vientiane Times reported today.
The first shipment of the Thadokkham-8 (TDK8) rice variety, is being sold to Belgium by Champahom Trading Import-Export Sole Co., Ltd., and the sale is part of a project to promote rice production for commercial purposes, under the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, supported by a loan from the World Bank, said the report.
The 50 tonnes of rice being sold is valued at 29,000 U.S. dollars. The company encouraged farmers to grow the rice in Pakngum and Xaythany districts, of the capital, Vientiane, on a total area of 600 hectares.
Champahom Director, Bounhieng Phommisay said, the company planned to work with all relevant sectors to encourage farmers to grow more rice and increase their yields, so they could export more, as much as 3,000 tonnes a year.
Bounhieng said, opportunities for Lao producers and businesses would improve significantly, after the Laos-China railway becomes operational in Dec this year.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK