Irrigation scheme begins providing water to improve crop yields in Phongsaly

An irrigation scheme funded by Phase 2 of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Project has begun supplying water to boost crop yields for farming communities in Phongsaly province.
Provincial authorities and PowerChina, the project contractor, which established the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Project, and the Homsang Village Committee gathered at Homsang village to launch the irrigation scheme.
The ceremony, which took place at the reservoir of the Level 6 Hydropower Station on the Ou River, marked the official opening of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Project’s second phase in the Nam Ou River Basin.
The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Phase 2 project is the second project where PowerChina has implemented practical Lancang-Mekong cooperation in the Nam Ou River Basin in Laos.

The Governor of Phongsaly province reviews the progress of work at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The project is located in Phongsaly province and is mainly focused on the new settlement villages of the Nam Ou 6th cascade hydropower plant and villages surrounding the hydropower plant.
Implementation of the project can effectively publicise the concept of green development and protection of water resources.
This will promote comprehensive technical exchanges, cooperation and experience-sharing for water resources management and small-scale watershed management in Lancang-Mekong countries.
It will also help to promote the protection of water resources, and the economic and ecological environment of small river basins in Mekong countries.
Green and sustainable development is of great significance.
In September 2021, an online launch took place for a comprehensive (Phase II) demonstration of a small-scale water source in Lancang-Mekong. The Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Luang Prabang province, Li Zhigong, and a representative of the Department of International Cooperation and Science and Technology of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China delivered speeches.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, Phongsaly province’s Governor expressed heartfelt thanks to the Nam Ou River Basin Hydropower Company and all parties involved in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Project Phase 2, which provided great support through special funding and guidance to make the “Rice Dream” of Homsang village in Phongsaly come true.
“Although Phongsaly has very steep mountainous terrain and not much flat land, I believe the irrigation project and the clearing of paddy fields in Houay Daeng areas will be a stepping stone to the success of rice cultivation and commercial tree planting for local supply,” the Governor said.
“At the same time, the project will be able to change the farming practices of villagers, improve the efficiency of production, especially rice cultivation which will increase the incomes of people in the village, and expand the demonstration project on the comprehensive management of small watersheds in Ban Homsang village to surrounding communities,” he added.
Rivers and green mountains are invaluable assets. In the process of the rollout of the Belt and Road Initiative, PowerChina practices the concept of “sustainable green development” to bring prosperity to local communities and contribute to the development of societal well-being.

By  Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update April 18, 2022)