Bong tree project brings hopes for farmers in Saravan
Bong tree project brings hopes for farmers in Saravan
Many growers of bong trees in Samuay district, Saravan province are looking forward to earning millions of kip each year from selling bong products to Vietnamese merchants over the next few years.
“I am a former cassava grower but it didn't produce many benefits for my family at all. Growing bong trees is now a main crop for many families in Phin A village after the growth of rice and other crops,” said Mr Ambenh Chingphin, one of the bong tree growers in Samuay district.
The man has a total of nine hectares of bong plantation and he is expecting to earn 90 million kip from his nine hectares in a couple of year's time.
The bong tree is used for producing incense sticks and it is famous among Vietnamese importers who buy from local farmers in Samuay district, Saravan province.
Phin A village is one of 10 targeted villages in Samuay and Ta-Oy districts of Saravan province where the “Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Productivity Enhancement Project (SNRMPEP)” initiative is providing technical, financial and land issues management.
The project is funded by a grant from the Asian Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, with counterpart funding from the Lao government from 2011-14.
In 2010, the dried skin of the bong tree was sold for 5,000 kip per kg while the fresh skin was sold for 3,000 kip per kg.
“The change of climate is an obstacle for farmers because they need strong sunshine to dry the bong skin before selling it to buyers,” Mr Ambenh said.
The project is being carried out by the provincial agriculture and forestry offices in the five southern provinces. It is supporting 71 subprojects in 10 focus areas with an emphasis on integrated farming system development, based on extended value chains.
Last week, a team of senior officials, project managers and donors made a field visit to those project areas in Saravan and Champassak province.
The project is involved in providing technical, financial and other support to livestock breeders, small crop farmers and poultry breeders in various provinces in the southern part of Laos.
SNRMPEP National Project Director Mr Vinoth Vansy said the project has reached its final stage, with the implementation period running from 2011-14.
“Throughout the implementation of the project, we have aimed to alleviate poverty and also provide poor families in rural villages with access to better incomes,” he said.
Mr Vinoth explained that there are 42 districts of five different provinces, including Savannakhet, Champassak, Saravan, Attapeu and Xekong taking part in the project.
“Each province will have different activities which are dependent on the suitability and potential of each local area; for example the bong tree grows well in Samuay district,” Mr Vinoth said.
The project has now encouraged local farmers to grow bong trees on more than 600 hectares in Samuay district, as it is hoped it will increase forest coverage and allow local farmers to earn better incomes.
According to Mr Vinoth, the project has helped farmers with land management, issuing land use rights and dividing the land for plantation to ensure the protected areas are well-preserved.
vientiane times
