Dried cassava tops farm exports from Saravan
Dried cassava tops farm exports from Saravan
Dried cassava has risen to the top of agricultu ral products exported by Saravan province to replace coffee, which had held the top spot for many years previously.
Last year, the province exported 11,330 tonnes of dried cassava to Thailand, worth almost US$2 million. Other major exports included 528 tonnes of coffee worth about US$1.23 million, and 665 tonnes of dried maize worth about US$88,000, according to the province's import and export goods management section.
From November 2012 to April 2013, the province exported 493 tonnes of coffee worth about US$1 million, 5,300 tonnes of dried cassava worth US$913,375, and 190 tonnes of dried maize worth US$14,185.
“We feel certain that dried cassava will top agricultural exports this year because many tonnes are being prepared for export over the next six months,” a technical official with the section, Ms Souknapha Douangchanhom, told Vientiane Times on Friday.
She said Thai investors began encouraging farmers to grow cassava last year and there are now drying sheds in Lau-ngam and Nakhonpheng districts.
Most of the Thai companies involved are working with farmers in Lau-ngam, Nakhonpheng, Vapy and Khongxedon districts, Ms Souknapha said.
Coffee was the province's dominant export for many years before the Thai companies encouraged farmers to grow cassava, she added.
This year, Saravan province has also exported 35 tonnes of rubber worth almost US$600,000. Most of the rubber tree plantations are owned by Vietnamese companies, Ms Souknapha said.
The province has also earned revenue from the export of rice and cardamom.
In the first six months of this fiscal year, 85 tonnes of cardamom worth US$25,500 was sold to Vietnam, along with 160 tonnes of rice worth US$54,600.
The central region of Saravan province is located on the Bolaven Plateau, which is a key agricultural area with coffee as the dominant cash crop. The western part of the province is bounded by the Mekong River while the eastern side borders on Vietnam.
vientiane times
