Phon Thong: Villagers in Phon Thong, located in Chaiyaphum Province, have ingeniously transformed the dry season, often seen as a crisis, into a lucrative opportunity by digging up lotus stems and roots. This unique endeavor has enabled them to earn a substantial income of 400 to 500 baht per day.
According to Thai News Agency, the drying up of water sources, canals, and rice fields in Phon Thong has revealed an abundance of buried lotus stems and roots. Seizing this opportunity, villagers have taken to digging these up to sell, thereby supplementing their incomes. What began as a way to pass the time after grazing their cattle has turned into a thriving community activity.
Equipped with hoes, villagers venture into fields, ditches, and canals to unearth the lotus plants, which lie just 20-30 centimeters beneath the surface. The process requires minimal investment, with villagers only needing to exert a bit of effort to reach the harvest. Once collected, the stems and roots are washed, peeled, and cut into pieces, then sold for 60 baht per kilogram. The demand is so high that the supply often falls short, as these lotus parts are used in a variety of culinary dishes, both savory and sweet.
The lotus stems are particularly popular in dishes such as papaya salad, spicy salads, and lotus root soup with pork bones, or even as a stewed dessert. Beyond their culinary uses, lotus stems and roots are valued for their health benefits, including their ability to relieve heat, balance the body, control blood pressure, and improve blood circulation. Lotus roots, when boiled into a drink and stored in the refrigerator, can last for several months, making them a favored choice among people of all ages.