VietNamNet Bridge – A Lao Cai province inspection team has begun an investigation into the death of dozens of hectares of pineapples during the past week.

A Lao Cai province inspection team has begun an investigation into the death of dozens of hectares of pineapples during the past week. — Photo tuoitre.vn

The information was released by Nguyen Thanh Sinh, director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, yesterday.

The pineapples died in Ban Lau Commune, Muong Khuong District, and local residents believe that exhaust fumes from the Tu Dinh Metallurgic Plant are to blame.

Director Sinh said that the inspectors took samples of the pineapples to determine causes. If the plant caused the pineapples’ death, the department will ask the enterprise to give proper compensation for the farmers.

During the past week, dozens of pineapples in six villages in Ban Lau Commune withered from dryness and their cores were rotten when harvested.

Losses were estimated at billions of dong (VND1 billion equals about US$44,400).

Duong Van Ngan, from Na Ma 2 Village, said that in the previous season, he earned VND250 million ($11,100) from selling pineapples, but this year most of his pineapples died, so Chinese traders refused to buy although they had deposited, and he must pay back the money for 60 tonnes pineapples.

Pham Dang Nam, Party committee secretary of the Ban Lau Commune, said that right after the incident occurred, commune authorities reported to upper-level authorities and concerned departments.

Initial investigation of local authorities showed that the death was not caused by insects.

Not only pineapples, but dozens of hectares of bananas, tea leaves and jackfruits in the commune also withered from dryness without clear reasons.

Local residents said that they had planted pineapples for dozens of years, and this month was the first time such an incident had occurred.

Once the Tu Dinh Metallurgic Plant was founded and began operation, plants in the commune started to go dry and be faded.

Nguyen Thi Tham, a resident in the Na Ma 2 Village, said, “When the plant operates, we cannot breathe when tilling the field. When the smell is light, we can wear mufflers, but if the smell is serious, we do not dare to go to the field.”

The Tu Dinh Metallurgic Plant was built on a hill, ostensibly far from residential areas. 

VNS