Rice farming improvements sow seeds of success in Laos
FARMERS in Laos’ two northern provinces of Xieng Khuang and Huaphan have witnessed increased yields and quality from seven seed varieties of local khao kainoi rice.
The Agro-Biodiversity Initiative ( Tabi) is continuing its programme to assist farmers in the provinces of Xieng Khuang and Huaphan to improve the quality of khao kainoi seeds, thereby ensuring food security in the communities and bet t e r returns for farmers.
The project has now expanded to nine districts of the two provinces through khao kainoi r i ce seed production development networks.
Vilaylack, a Tabi official, reported that 60 per cent of local farmers currently plant khao kainoi rice to consume and trade.
However, f a r mer s h a v e be e n u s i ng poor qua l it y mixed rice seeds, resulting in low production.
As a result, since 2014, Tabi has cooperated with provincial authorities to select the best khao koinoi seeds to improve and strengthen production in communities.
The project is aimed to help locals on food security and increase the crop’s value to boost farmers’ income. It has set up a rice breeding programme to develop new climate-resilient rice varieties that are expected to alleviate production losses.
The initiative is also encouraging rice producers to learn new production techniques and enhance technical systems at various stages.
The project is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry’s agricultural development strategy from 20112020 to bolster national farm production.
The sector strategy is a longterm framework focusing on the increased application of modernised lowland marketoriented agricultural production that is adapted to climate change as well as targeting smallholder farmers and the conservation of upland ecosystems to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.