Mr. Pueng Trida, head of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Preah Vihear province, said that the price of cassava in Preah Vihear province this year is good.
He pointed out: “So far, the price of dried cassava is more than 9,000 riels per kilogram, while fresh cassava is between 370 and 420 riels per kilogram.”
Mr. Trida said that in some places in the province, cassava can be sold for 930 riels or 950 riels per kilogram, and if it is well dried, farmers can sell it for 960 riels per kilogram.
He added that the price of cassava this year is very good compared to 10 years ago. Local farmers are very happy with the high price, while cassava yield can increase from 10 tons to 50 tons per hectare.
The head of the department said that Thai and Vietnamese traders have come to harvest the cassava.
For next year, Mr. Trida predicted that the price of cassava will increase further. Especially when oil prices continue to rise, because cassava can also be processed into ethanol, in addition to being used as food.
Cassava is an agro-industrial crop that people in Preah Vihear province grow on an area of approximately 32,000 hectares. Heng Panha – AKP
