Huaphan to levy price controls on Kay Noi rice
Huaphan to levy price controls on Kay Noi rice
Huaphan provincial authorities will try to regulate the price of Kay Noi rice after floodwater inundated the crop recently and damaged large swathes of fields.
In the last few years, the price of Kay Noi rice has remained stable at about 7,000 kip a kg but the authorities believe it will be higher next year as there will almost certainly be a shortage, according to the province's domestic section.
Heavy rains from June 24 to 26 and floods caused by frequent rains from July 21 to August 5 damaged almost 200 hectares of rice in Huaphan province, the provincial agriculture section reported.
But provincial authorities have not said how many hectares of Kay Noi rice were damaged.
The authorities said the price of all rice varieties would increase if there was a shortage in the coming years.
An increase in the price of Kay Noi rice may impact on the domestic trade as well as exports, officials added.
Kay Noi rice differs from other varieties and is valued for its fragrant aroma and soft texture. It is mainly grown in Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces and costs more than ordinary sticky rice.
Floods also destroyed irrigation systems in Huaphan province with the average cost of repairs to each system exceeding 30 billion kip. Most of the damage occurred in Xiengkhor, Sobbao and Viengxay districts.
The provincial Agriculture and Forestry Department has encouraged farmers to repair some of the smaller irrigation systems using local materials but there are still many large irrigation systems that will require a large sum of money to repair.
In Huaphan province, more than 6,000 hectares are dedicated to the cultivation of Kay Noi rice, along with another 11,000 hectares in Xieng Khuang province.
Huaphan and Xieng Khuang can produce 70,000-80,000 tonnes of Kay Noi rice each year and export thousands of tonnes to Vietnam and China, as well as provinces in Laos.
Most farmers who grow Kay Noi live in Paek, Khoun, Phoukoud, Phaxay, Xamneua, Huameuang and Viengxay districts, as these areas have a cooler climate that enables the crop to thrive.
The Lao Brewery Company has agreed to buy 800 tonnes a year of Kay Noi rice from Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces for use in its new Beerlao Gold brand.
