Edible flower brightens life for Khon Kaen farmers

Sunan Paohom, 60, and his son collect cowslip creeper flowers at their farm at Ban Mor, in Khon Kaen's Sam Soong district. The edible flowers generate almost one million baht a year for this family. (Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri)

KHON KAEN - After suffering through several droughts, farmers at a village in Sam Soong district have switched from rice to growing a brightly flowering, edible creeper that generates a handsome and stable income.

People at Ban Mor in tambon Khu Kham who once relied heavily on rice and cassava crops for their main income are now planting dok khajon, or cowslip creeper.

Sunan Paohom, 60, said his family had six rai of land which was once used solely for growing rice.

With droughts frequent in the area, his son had looked into integrated farming and alternative crops, particularly chemical-free vegetables that were in high demand. His family initially planted one rai in cowslip as a trial, he said.

The plant had brightened up the family's life with its high yield of bright yellow blossoms, for which there is a ready market.

“The dok khajon grown on our land is a hybrid variety from Indonesia. We brought it from southern Krabi province and later distributed its seeds to our neighbours to grow. The plant gives high yields and is drought tolerant with a life of over four years," Mr Sunan said. (continues below)

Dok khajon, or cowslip creeper flowers, are in high market demand. (Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri)

"We can sell its edible flowers every day. When the plant is 2 years old we can cut its branches for sale. It has no problems with pests. It gives a handsome income for growers. Dok khajon sells at 150-200 baht a kilo and my family can collect at least 12 kilos a day of this edible flower. We earn about 2,000 baht a day,’’ said Mr Sunan.

After the trial, the family decided to turn the entire paddy field over to growing cowslip, which bears year-round clusters of bright yellow flowers. The crop, which also has medicinal uses, is generating almost one million baht a year for his family, said the proud 60-year-old.

Many other farmers realised he was onto a good thing and they also switched from rice to cowslip, making Ban Mor the province’s major growing area for this flowering creeper. They also passed on the knowledge to other farmers keen to make the change, Mr Sunan said.