Extension gaps in the production, postharvest and marketing system of organic rice in Santhong District, Vientiane Capitol, Lao PDR

The study aimed to understand organic farmer and processor constraints and potentials incoming up with quality organic rice that meets international standards in Sangthong District in the Province of Vientiane capital, Lao PDR. The specific objectives were: 1) describe the socio-economic characteristics of organic rice farmers; 2) explain farmer practices in the organic rice postharvest system and traceability; 3) describe processing and marketing aspect of the certified organic processors, 4) investigate paddy moisture content in the granaries of organic farmers; 5) conduct grains quality milling test in laboratory with different types of paddy drying practices; 6) develop a market-based price incentive scheme for inclusion in extension campaigns to encourage better post harvest practices. One hundred ninety seven certified organic farmers served as respondents of the study. Structured interview was conducted among respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, means, standard deviation, t-test and chi-square. ANOVA was used to analyze laboratory tests while economic cost and return analysis was used to investigate capability of traders to pay premium prices. Results reveal that farmers are past middle age and have low educational attainment. Moreover, survey results on farmer practices and laboratory tests on paddy rice confirm that premium grain quality is 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 major contribution of this study were the provision of local evidences on the effect of moisture content to grain quality and come up with a price based incentive scheme based on actual data from survey and export data from processors in Santhong District. To facilitate improvement in organic rice quality, a broad based, participatory and market oriented extension campaign is proposed. The organic rice supply chain will guide the extension campaign to integrate all capability and infrastructure needs identified, address constraints and maximize potentials faced by actors. Given the importance of good post harvest system, the feasibility of establishing a farmer associated managed rice mill which is seen to simplify organic rice certification process and empower farmers to trade directly with international partners is proposed for further studies.