The Agro Biodiversity Initiative (TABI) supports farmer efforts in northern Laos to process a wide range of natural foods into value-added products to generate income. Farming is the main occupation in Laos and production and processing of vegetables and fruit adds value and life. The Nam Bak orange in Luang Prabang are available one time per year in October which travelers will see available for sale along the roadside. Processed river weed is another popular product available in markets in Luangprabang and other provinces, including Vientiane. From July to November you will see the very popular Nor Loy bamboo shoots for sale to travelers along the road to Xam Nua.
Now the Pha Khao Lao website is sharing more and more information and amazing knowledge on agro-biodiversity species and products from Laos. This agro-biodiversity platform also includes an increasing number of Lao food recipes, techniques, and nutrition information for all consumers. Many of the recipes are from the cook book of Food from Northern Laos collected by Dorothy Culloty with photos by Kees Sprengers. The entire cookbook is also accessible via Pha Khao Lao.
