Rainfed and Irrigated Rice Farming on the Savannakhet Plain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterise rice production in the Savannakhet Plain, which has long been a major rice bowl for Laos. As this is one of the most productive and commercialised rice-growing regions in the country, an understanding of farmers' circumstances and strategies can give a good indication of how rice policy is working out in practice. If rice farmers in this region face substantial constraints on production, those in other settings will be even less able to meet government policy targets.

Labour, mechanization, market integration, and government policy: Agrarian change and lowland rice cultivation in northeastern Thailand and southern Laos

“…In addition, the “clean” rice category in Laos allows for a small amount of chemical fertilizer, whereas in Thailand, certified organic rice does not allow any chemical fertilizers. In any case, rice production has, nevertheless, increased substantially in Savannakhet, and this is partially due to increased chemical fertilizer use (Kousonsavath & Sacklokham, 2020; Sacklokham et al, 2020). Using chemical fertilizer early in the growing season apparently cannot be found when rice is tested.…”

Risk Perception and Lowland Rice Farming Change in Savannakhet Province, Southern Laos

“…Only 26 per cent of the farmers surveyed in June 2019 claim that they used chemical fertilisers on their rice fields twenty years ago, including those who just use a small amount on rice seed beds cultivated for producing seedlings for transplanting. Now, however, 94 per cent report applying at least a small amount of chemical fertilisers on their fields, which compares to 85 per cent in Choumphone Districtanother lowland district in Savannakhet -in 2012 (Sacklokham et al 2020). Chemical fertiliser use is still quite limited as compared to neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam, with just two or three 45 kg sacks of chemical fertiliser3 being typically applied to one-hectare plots.…”

“…In Choumphone District, 62 per cent of rice farmers reported selling rice in 2012(Sacklokham et al 2020).Ian G. Baird, Santi Piyadeth, and Chanthavisouk Ninchaluene -9789004528062 Downloaded from Brill.com 05/25/2024 04:41:12AM via Open Access. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 license.…”

Investigating the dynamics of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rainfed agroecosystems: an in-depth analysis of yield gap and strategic exploration for enhanced production

“…Globally, rainfed crops exhibit a yield reduction of around 50% compared to irrigated conditions (Jaramillo et al, 2020). Additionally, research conducted in rainfed areas in various countries has documented yield decreases of 6 t/ha in China (Terjung et al, 1985), 0.7 tons/ha in Thailand (Sacklokham et al, 2020), and 0.5 to 4.3 tons/ha in India (Kumar et al, 2021). Addressing these challenges is imperative for sustainable and enhanced paddy production in rainfed agroecosystems.…”