Agricultural production helps villagers lead a better life

Mr Bounthop Singthanoukham’s family from Nongphakbong village, Botaen district, Xayaboury province, has been working in an upland cultivation area of 1.2 hectares. He used to produce two tonnes of various crops per year, but it was not enough for his family. In 2007, Mr Bounthop’s family invested in 15 cows. However, there was not enough grass for them to eat. In 2009, he went on a study tour to other provinces. He came back and used some land to grow grass. Technicians from his district gave him advice on how to grow grass and help his family earn more from sale of cows. Mr Bounthop decided to expand the area for growing grass to over six hectares. He currently grows grass over 17 hectares and has been adding more cows to rear each year. He said in one year he sold 15 cows and earned 67 million kip and this has helped his family live a better life. Besides, Mr Bounthop’s family also grows rice and rubber over two hectares. This has also supplemented his family income. He makes around 111 million kip per year by selling rubber. He said agricultural production and animal husbandry are a permanent occupation for his family as this has helped them upgrade their living standards.

Information source: Vientiane Times.