Cattle farming raises wealth levels in Xayaboury

The government is encouraging crop growing and animal husbandry to help people in remote areas improve their living standards and rise above poverty. Ms Phimphone Phengsavad’s family grows grass to feed cattle for the market, which has helped to put money in their pockets. In 2012 Ms Phimphone had 25 head of cattle and in 2014 she increased the number to 35, which she raised using natural methods. But she did not have enough grass to feed the herd so the animals became thin and fell ill. In 2016, she sought advice from technicians in Phieng district and set up a farm on 26 hectares, with grass planted on 20 hectares. Ms Phimphone’s family now has 73 cows. Last year, they sold five and earned 20 million kip. Now that she is earning money from this source her family is better off and are living more comfortably thanks to the sale of their cattle.

Information source: Vientiane Times.