Laos: Chinese and Vietnamese-invested banana plantations reportedly causes soil degradation, water pollution, have unsafe workplaces, employ child labours and acquired indigenous communities' land against will
"Banana Boom, Soil Bust", Mekong Eye, 17 February 2025
Nearly two decades ago, Chinese entrepreneurs [...] blanketed northern Laos with banana plantations.
[...] The continued use of chemicals despite the ban has left farmers struggling with the lasting impact of soil erosion.
Banana investors in northern Laos have leased existing agricultural land directly from residents [...].
More than 30 farmers in Oudomxay and Bokeo were interviewed and shared similar experiences [...].
[...] companies used fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides extensively during banana cultivation [...].
[...] it is very likely that the soil [...] has become compacted.
It is a widespread issue affecting a large portion of the world’s arable land, plant growth, and crop yields by reducing water infiltration, limiting root development, decreasing soil aeration, and even leading to the spread of vector-borne diseases.
[...] This compacted layer in combination with disrupted porosity can block water from penetrating the soil structure beneath, leading to dryness.
Among the remaining plantations in Oudomxay [...] a subsidiary of Guangxi JinSui Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., [...].
[...] Chinese workers wearing face masks sprayed the chemicals on the farm. Seasonal workers from the indigenous Hmong and Khmu, including children, worked without protective gear.
Agricultural chemical packaging – labeled in Chinese but not translated into Lao as required by the country’s Chemical Law – was stacked in piles [...].
Nhu’s rice fields lie adjacent to the company’s plantation. In recent years, her rice crop has failed repeatedly, which she believes is due to chemicals from Jinsui drifting over onto her land. [...].
Our reporter attempted to contact Jinsui via an inquiry request on its official website, but the submit button did not work [...]. A phone call was also made, but the line was unavailable.
Workers in Oudomxay [...] often suffer from itchy rashes, dizziness, and headaches [...].
“Jinsui and other companies here pay me 150,000 kip ($6.80) per day. It’s decent, as long as we don’t get sick,” said a seasonal worker with nine years on the plantations.
[...] the company provided only meager compensation – far from enough to cover medical treatment for child laborers who broke their legs or arms while climbing ladders to tend to banana flowers.
During our reporter’s visit to farms in both the north and south, discarded China-made fertilizer bags and plastic containers of fungicides and pesticides were scattered along the rows of banana plants.
Fertilizer bags containing organic fertilizers with heavy metals listed on their labels were also found at the Jinyao (金耀) plantation in Attapue Province of southern Laos. [...].
This raises concerns about the potential for heavy metal contamination in soil [...].
On other plantations run by Thaco and Hoang Anh Gia Lai [...] workers confirmed the use of agricultural chemicals by both companies.
Residents [...] expressed concerns that pesticide runoff could contaminate the Namkong River and smaller streams, which they rely on for fishery and their livelihoods.
Bananas from both companies are primarily exported to China. [...] HAWEI Supply Chain Group (哈威) [...] is among their partners in China.
Our reporter attempted to contact Jin Yao, Thaco, and Hoang Anh Gia Lai via email addresses available on public platforms, but the messages either failed to deliver or remained unanswered [...].
Numerous studies suggest that investors have used their influence and close ties with the authorities to acquire land from local people [...].
In Attapeu, a conflict erupted between a newly arrived Chinese agro company and the village of B., a member of the Indigenous Laven community. [...].
Meanwhile, in Oudomxay, most interviewees reported that companies often fail to pay their land rent on time.