Huaphan province has encouraged local families to plant arrowroot for export purposes to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions in the northern province.
“This year, we want to see arrowroot planted on at least 250 ha across Xone district to yield 7,500 tonnes of arrowroot thus yielding 3.7 billion kip for local farmers,” said Head of the Xone District Office of Agriculture and Forestry.
Mr. Phouvieng, a villager of Xone Tay, Xone district, Huaphan province said his family made 14 million kip from selling 28 tonnes of arrowroot grown on one hectare last year.
“Arrowroot is easy to grow. It is a fast-growing and low-maintenance crop. It can be harvested within 10-11 months after planting,” said Mr. Phouvieng.
The crop can be bought at his farm at 500 kip per kilogramme.
Mr. Phouvieng expects that he will harvest between 28 and 30 tonnes of arrowroot this year.
He interplants arrowroot with green beans as he claims that doing so can improve soil fertility and generate extra incomes for his family.
Source: Lao News Agency