Hombandon rice growers seek export markets

Hombandon rice growers seek export markets

Growers of Hombandon rice (Ban Don Brand) in Don village, Pakngum district, Vientiane, are hoping to sell the rice in other countries if it is certified under the ‘One District, One Product' (ODOP) project.

The quality of the rice is currently being considered by the industry and commerce sector. The growers' group is hopeful it will be awarded an ODOP certificate next year, group member Ms Thongphan Singhalath told Vientiane Times last week.

Ms Thongphan has been representing the growers' group at the That Luang festival, where her stall is selling the rice. She said it was popular both for consumption and sale at local markets, while some members are also selling it to other groups in the city.

The Hombandon rice producer group formed in 2011 and their members currently number more than 20 farming families.

At present they only sell 10 tonnes of rice each year but expect sales to grow once the brand name becomes better known.

The group helps more than 10 farming families to grow this type of rice, which the group then sells in markets, according to Ms Thongphan.

The rice is normally grown only in the wet season as it is of better quality than the dry season crop.

Ms Thongphan said good quality Hombandon rice is produced only by the Ban Don group which, unlike many other traders, uses proper branding and marketing methods.

She said the packed Hombandon rice is of better quality than the unpackaged variety, which contains some broken grains.

Head of the growers' group, Mr Kitsana Sisavad, said in the last two years the group has packed 10 tonnes of rice each year, selling it for 8,000 kip/kg, in 5kg packages.

“Every year, we sell all of our packaged products in only 3-4 months,” he said.

The group would like to sell more but has limited funding and has to rent equipment and vehicles privately, he added.

Mr Kitsana said member families can grow much more than 10 tonnes per year but need more capital to expand and better marketing so the brand is more widely known.

Ms Thongphan said under next year's plan, the group will sell B and C grades of packaged Hombandon rice in the dry season, as it will be more affordable for local consumers.

“This is this first year we have sold our rice at the That Luang festival. We'd like to come here again next year if we get the chance,” she said.

The group brought one tonne of rice to sell at the festival but has sold only half as their stall was some distance from where the main crowds congregated.

vientiane times