Articles
EXTENSION GAPS IN THE PRODUCTION, POSTHARVEST AND MARKETING OF ORGANIC RICE IN LAO PDR
Article number
1088_122
Pages
655 – 660
Language
English
Abstract
The study aimed to understand organic farmer and processor constraints and
potentials in coming up with quality organic rice that meets international standards
in Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Structured interview was
conducted among 197 certified organic farmer-respondents.
Farmers were past
middle age and have low educational attainment.
Farmer practices and laboratory
tests on paddy rice confirmed that premium grain quality was not achieved because
of failure of farmers to meet desirable levels of moisture content.
Based on
experimentation, shade drying produced better head rice recovery.
However,
mechanical drying has better potentials to improve grain quality because of less
infrastructure investment needed.
Based on economic cost and return analysis,
organic rice processors can afford to give premium price incentive to farmers and
still earn profit if they export to established markets.
The study provided evidences
on the effect of moisture content on grain quality and developed a price-based
incentive scheme based on actual survey data and export data from processors.
To
facilitate improvement in organic rice quality, a broad based participatory and
market oriented extension program is proposed.
The organic rice supply chain will
guide the extension campaign to integrate all capability and infrastructure needs,
address constraints, and maximize potentials of actors.
Given the importance of
good postharvest system, future works could also delve into establishing a farmer
association-managed rice mill to simplify organic rice certification process and
empower farmers to trade directly with international partners.
potentials in coming up with quality organic rice that meets international standards
in Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Structured interview was
conducted among 197 certified organic farmer-respondents.
Farmers were past
middle age and have low educational attainment.
Farmer practices and laboratory
tests on paddy rice confirmed that premium grain quality was not achieved because
of failure of farmers to meet desirable levels of moisture content.
Based on
experimentation, shade drying produced better head rice recovery.
However,
mechanical drying has better potentials to improve grain quality because of less
infrastructure investment needed.
Based on economic cost and return analysis,
organic rice processors can afford to give premium price incentive to farmers and
still earn profit if they export to established markets.
The study provided evidences
on the effect of moisture content on grain quality and developed a price-based
incentive scheme based on actual survey data and export data from processors.
To
facilitate improvement in organic rice quality, a broad based participatory and
market oriented extension program is proposed.
The organic rice supply chain will
guide the extension campaign to integrate all capability and infrastructure needs,
address constraints, and maximize potentials of actors.
Given the importance of
good postharvest system, future works could also delve into establishing a farmer
association-managed rice mill to simplify organic rice certification process and
empower farmers to trade directly with international partners.
Authors
P.N. Choulatida, M. Gummert, R.D.T. Baconguis
Keywords
organic rice, Oryza sativa L., small farmers, export supply chain
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