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EU project set to boost rice production
Rice production is set to rise 10 percent as farmers adopt new methods recommended under a European Union (EU) funded project, according to experts last week.
The EU granted 2 million euros to carry out the “Enhancing Rice Mills Production in Laos” project, which was piloted in Champassak, Saravan, Khammuan, Savannakhet, and Borikhamxay provinces, and in Vientiane.
Helvetas and SNV each contributed a further 5 percent to the project which started in January 2010 and is due to finish next month.
About 65 percent of project funding has been used to support 21 millers and the rest has been used in farming.
A survey taken by the project found that 100kg of unmilled rice would normally produce 54kg of milled rice; however the same amount of unmilled rice can produce an extra 9kg if properly prepared.
By the end of the project, 20,000 households will have been trained in new methods to produce quality rice, while millers have received better equipment and learned modern practices.
Marketing, BDS and Policy Advisor Mr Lone Phonephady said one of the main achievements of the project was increasing communication between millers and farmers.
Before the project began, the only contact between the two was when millers bought rice from farmers. Now millers have their own farm group and also provide fertiliser, seeds and loans to the farmers in their group, and help to train farmers how to produce a bigger yield.
The project also promotes the millers' role in marketing but the challenge of accessing funding still remains.
The project is also increasing the participation of local authorities in facilitating cooperation between farmers and millers as well as addressing problems in productivity and marketing. The discussions aim to ensure all parties are aware which rice seeds produ ce higher yields and which type of rice is in highest demand in the marketplace.
In Champassak province, the three mills selected to join the project were Ang Kham Rice Mill in Sanasomboun district, Mae Pakong Mill in Phonthong district and Meta Mill in Champassak district.
Owner of Ang Kham Rice Mill Mr John Khamphavong said the project provided him with modern equipment, a concrete rice drying area, and training to enhance milling standards.
“Before, I made a profit of about one million kip from one tonne of unmilled rice, but now I make about three million kip from the same amount of rice,” he said.
Under the project, Mr John was given a farm group which included more than 1,000 households in nine districts. He has helped farmers throughout the production process by showing them how to apply fertiliser and use pesticide. He also taught farmers to dry their rice before selling it to him.
“Those who sell dry unmilled rice to me will get a higher price,” he said, adding that the new techniques learned from the project are helping farmers and millers to mutually benefit. A farmer from Saphai village in Sanasomboun district, Mr Khien Xayasensouk, said he expected to get more rice this year as he has changed his rice seeds and adopted new techniques recommended by the project on his one-hectare farm.
“The rice in our village is very good this year, except on those farms affected by flooding,” he said.
vientiane times
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