Together for Better Tomorrow
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Consultants
Green Cardamom Plantation for Improving Economy & Livelihoods and Conserving Environment & Forests in Laos
Green Cardamom Plantation for Improving Economy & Livelihoods and Conserving Environment & Forests in Laos
On 28 March 2017, necessary approval of MIA Corporation's PPP Program for Sustainable Livelihoods & Economic Development in Salavan Province (Laos) is made in a meeting presided by the Provincial Governor of Salavan Province, and attended by the Chairman of the Economic, Planning & Finance Committee of the People's Council of Salavan Province, the Deputy Director General of the Agriculture & Forestry Department of Salavan Province, and the Chief Executive Officer of MIA Corporation (Canada).
ln the first phase of this PPP program, the MIA Corporation is establishing necessary nurseries and pilot demonstrations of Green Cardamom cultivation in Samouay and Laongam districts to facilitate necessary research, extension and training required for large-scale community-based and commercial cultivation of Green Cardamom in at least 3,000 ha in the highland areas of Samouay, Taoy and Laongam districts.
The reasons for Green Cardamom cultivation in these highland areas are:
1) Green Cardamom cultivation has high potentials for forest conservation and poverty alleviation. Through some preliminary feasibility studies, it is found that the ecosystem and climate conditions of these areas are highly suitable for Green Cardamom cultivation because, it grows well in sloping areas of humid virgin evergreen forests at high altitudes (600-1200 m above MSL) where the annual rainfall is 1,500-4,000 mm with temperature 10-35 oC. These highland areas meet these conditions.
2) According to a recent market research, it is found that the demand for green cardamom is continuously increasing globally. It can generate net profit of more than US$ 4,000/ha/year. Thus, large scale cultivation of green cardamom will improve the economy and livelihoods of the people through forest conservation in these districts. It will facilitate the Province to earn huge foreign currency as well.
3) It is highly expected that the Green Cardamom will be a wonder crop for the farmers in the highlands of the Province. Because, once established, it will change the livelihoods of these farmers due to the high income from it's cultivation. Thus, it will ensure the forest conservation and environmental protection by generating high income that requires the forests.
ln subsequent phases of this PPP program, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Salavane Province and other public and private partners, the MIA Corporation will initiate and coordinate the establishment of large-scale community-based and commercial cultivation of Green Cardamom in at least 3,000 ha in highland areas of Samouay, Taoy and Laongam districts.
[ A presentation on the potentials of Green Cardamom Plantation in Salavan Province (Laos) is provided at the bottom of this page. ]
Left: Our Tissue Culture Lab, Research & Training Centre, and Nurseries of Green Cardamom in Bolaven Plateau (Paksong & Laongam) with Private Partnerships. | Right: Our Research & Training Centre, and Nursery of Green Cardamom in Samouay Highland with Public Partnership.
Community-based Green Cardamom plantation in Samouay Highland: nursery; agri-expert testing soil; community preparing land and plant Cardamom (with Prov Agri DDG Mr. Khamphane, Dist. Vice-Governor & MIA Corp's Dr. Rahman); 1-year old plant; 2-year old plant with flowers.
Commercial Green Cardamom plantation in Bolaven Plateau (Paksong): nursery; seedlings checking by Champasak Prov. Agriculture DDG Dr. Sali, Agri. Expert Mr. Vijayan & MIA Corp President Dr. Ataur Rahman. | Middle & right: 3-year old Green Cardamom plants with fruits.
Our PPP Programs focus on initiating highly profitable & sustainable agro-forestry businesses such as "Integrated Green Cardamom, Bong & Honey Production System" to improve economy & livelihoods of local communities and conserve environment & forests in priority areas.
For details on the potentials of the Green Cardamom Plantation in Salavan Province (Laos), a copy of a presentation made at a meeting with the Provincial Governor of Salavan Province, Laos by MIA Corporation's President Dr. Ataur Rahman (dated, Salavan, 24 March 2017) is provided below:
