Buddhist holidays dictate the planting and harvesting, birth, marriage, and death. Improvised music is the most popular art form, but most arts are influenced by Buddhism. Agriculture is the principle force of the economy. Rice, the main food crop produced, yields inadequate amounts to meet domestic needs. The main plantation crop is coffee.
Livestock breeding is also important to the economy.
Overall, exports are not good because of old-fashioned farming techniques. Industry in Laos is not very productive, being limited to small plants manufacturing consumer products. The gross national product in 1996 was 320 dollars. There is potential for timber, minerals, and hydroelectric power, but access to these resources is difficult due to civil conflicts. The future outlook is questionable, but because of China's increasing need for consumer goods, the potential for growth is there.