Thaxang organic growers group eyes increased cultivation
Thaxang organic growers group eyes increased cultivation
An organic fruit and vegetable producer's group based in Thaxang village, Pakngum district of Vientiane plans to double its production in response to increasing demand.
By the end of this year the Thaxang producers' group aims to be growing organic produce on 40 hectares of land, according to the group's head Mr Thatsady Philavong.
“Currently we have 20 hectares. We hope to have an additional five hectares in the wet season and another 15 hectares more by the end of the year,” he told Vientiane Times yesterday.
Currently the group can produce between 1.5 - 2 tonnes of organic vegetables every three days to supply Vientiane markets, which can make each farming family about 1.5 million kip.
“The 1.5 to 2 tonnes is not including our fruit,” he explained. “However the demand of the vegetable is now in excess of six tonnes,” which gives considerable scope for expansion.
The group now has 20 families, who together farm a total of 20 hectares, Mr Thatsady reported. The collective has been certified by the Agriculture Department as an organic farmers' group that “can produce vegetables all year round, in both the wet and dry seasons.”
However the group's production is still not enough to meet the growing market demand and that is why the group plans to expand its vegetable plots this year and capitalise on the opportunity.
Thaxang growers' group will install a new water system to supply the farm and plans to include another five farming families as new members.
It is important to find money or funding to support production, organise technical training courses for the members as well as study tours or visits to other producers' groups, both locally and in neighbouring countries as well.
“Currently the members are still using their own money. However it is not enough to fund the farm expansion and is slowing down our efforts to increase production,” Mr Thatsady said.
The group plans to propose to the related government sectors that a permanent organic market should be established in Vientiane.
Currently it is also planning to promote organic rice plantation on 150 hectares of land. In the longer term, there are plans to cooperate with some local food supply companies in regards to processing for export to Korea.
“We expect that Thaxang village will be one of the major organic agricultural producers in Vientiane in the future,” Mr Thatsady said.
vientiane times
