Household resources and practices toward native rice sufficiency in Khoune District, Xiengkhouang Province, Lao PDR

Issue Date

2015

Abstract

The case study was conducted in Na-Ou and Xang village in Khoune district, Xiengkhouang province, Lao PDR to discuss the households' resources and practices in attaining native rice sufficiency. Data were gathered through a combination of methods that included a survey of 91 household, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, actual field observations, and secondary data analysis. The study villages are largely rural, popular nationwide for their native sticky rice varieties, and regarded as models in native sticky rice production. There are also areas of wetland for rice cultivation that are suited to grow the age-old native sticky rice varieties.

The native rice farmers in there villages are rice self-sufficient because of their household resources and practices. In their household, they possess adequate farming experiences, land parcels, household technology, farm tools, basic farm machinery, organic fertilizers, rice storage system, and positive attitude and unwavering intent to crop their age-old sticky rice varieties. Their household level practices that contribute to their native rice sufficiency are use of technology that is fundamentally traditional and suitable to the place; engaging in husband-wife enterprise; familial and communal rice farming; and seed variety preservation.

A SWOT analysis of the existing native rice production system reveals a number of strengths as well as weaknesses. However, there are also a lot of opportunities, which the farmers can exploit, to address the weaknesses and the threat confronting native rice production.

Source or Periodical Title

The Journal of Public Affairs and Development

ISSN

2244-3983

Volume

2

Issue

2

Page

75-105

Document Type

Article

College

College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf)

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

chart; tables; references

Language

English

Subject

Laos--Rice farming; Rice production

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