Passion fruit is fast-growing and could generate extra income for rubber farmers hit by falling prices. These healthy vines are growing on Chana Pornsiriwong’s demonstration farm. (Photo by Methee Muangkaew)

TRANG – Rubber farmers wilting under the price slump are being encouraged to set aside part of their land to grow passion fruit, as the climbing vine is easy to grow and demand for the fruit is high.

Chana Pornsiriwong, 50, a community developer in tambon Nam Phud in Muang district of this southern province, said a passion fruit vine took only 6-8 months to begin fruiting and required less attention.

Passion fruit is highly nutritious, contains ample vitamins…