Southern provinces plead for funding after irrigation systems ruined
Three southern provinces need more than 30 billion kip in emergency funds to repair the irrigation systems destroyed by September’s Ketsana tropical storm, to have adequate water supplies in the dry season.
Ketsana destroyed 16 irrigation projects in Attapeu province, which will cost about 15.2 billion kip to repair, said a report from the provincial irrigation sector.
The provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department had planned to use the irrigation systems to supply water to 1,350 hectares of rice.
While some systems have regained 30 to 40 percent productivity, others have not been repaired.
The irrigation systems that have been working will supply water for farmers sowing seeds this month, said the provincial irrigation system Acting Head, Mr Phonesay Khaysonesena.
Mr Phonesay said more irrigation systems would be supplied with water for the dry season next month, because wet season crops had twice been damaged by storms, and more crops needed to be grown in the dry season to compensate.
The department has encouraged farmers to grow sweetcorn, beans and melons this dry season so they have enough food to eat, Mr Phonesay said.
Meanwhile Saravan province has asked for 12 billion kip to repair 37 damaged irrigation systems in six districts.
Provincial irrigation Head, Mr Sinsay Phetphengrasy, said Ketsana damaged 47 irrigation systems and 16 billion kip was needed to repair them.
He said this dry season irrigation systems should provide water for about 12,000 hectares of land so rice could be planted.
Some projects currently under repair include irrigation systems in Saravan, Vapy and Khongxedon districts.
Mr Sinsay said provincial farmers would need to increase the amount of rice produced in the dry season because of the crop damage caused by Ketsana.
Last dry season the provincial plan was to plant 9,500 hectares of rice, but farmers only planted 7,500 hectares, he said.
This was because the price of rice has been falling while the cost of fertiliser and agricultural equipment was high.
Xekong province has asked for more than 4.6 billion kip in emergency funds to supply water in the dry season, but will need an additional 3.8 billion kip for irrigation repair in the future, according to a report from the provincial irrigation sector.
Ketsana damaged four irrigation projects in Lamam, seven projects in Thataeng, eight projects in Dakcheung and 14 in Kaleum district, said the provincial sector Deputy Head, Mr Vone Khounsavath.
The region planned to supply water to about 850 hectares of rice, he said.
Tropical storm Marinae that hit southern Laos earlier this month also caused damage to two provinces, Xekong and Saravan, but there has been no reported damage from the irrigation sector.
By Khamphone Syvongxay
November 11, 2009
Vientiane Times
