Agro-sector achieves as plan

(KPL) In the implementation of five years plan of agriculture and forest development (2006-10) of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has achieved as plan.

The ongoing plan is foodstuff production, market-oriented production,
alleviation of slash-and-burn cultivation, poverty reduction and sustainable
forest management.

This plan is running effectively, according to Mr Sitaheng Latsaphol,
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry who reported at a reviewing meeting on
19-20 June, Vientiane Capital, regarding to the implementation of eighth
resolution of the Party Congress.

At present, the operation of plan is on half way of 2006-10 agriculture
and forestry development plan.

The Party and government's guideline and policy have so far focused
on improving agriculture production and forestry management and hold as a
key for poverty reduction.

Last year, the paddy rice production yielded 2.71 million tonnes out of
821,617 ha totally nationwide, compared to an annual plan stood at 96 %.

Previous dry season rice production was able to grow rice on
94,500ha with a total yield of 415,000 tonnes.

The irrigation management has been divided into two zones with
capacity feeding water about 110,000 ha nationwide, according to the latest
survey.

Late last 2007; Laos has approximately 103,000 ha of upland rice
fields which covered 134,000 families.