Sangthong optimistic about organic rice exports
Sangthong optimistic about organic rice exports
Sangthong district in Vientiane expects to increase organic rice production to reach its export goal of 1,700 tonnes this year.
Deputy Director of Sangthong Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Somdeth said that last year, the district planted organic rice to yield a total harvest of 1,648 tonnes, recording growth of eight percent.
The district is currently encouraging 284 farmer families with 369 hectares of paddy rice to follow the international rice export regulations, aiming to enlarge its sales abroad.
For organic rice to be able to exported, it should be inspected by the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China and granted approval for export to China or the EU.
This year, the district has eight villages planting organic rice but there are only 14 families who have been accepted according to the international standards. At present, the district is in the process of considering its ability in regards to rice production for export with partners such as China and the EU, aiming to expand the market for Lao rice overseas.
The district also aims to encourage farmers to increase their rice plantations to improve their incomes, and drive its image for planting organic products
In 2015, Sangthong district had 8,350 hectares of rice planted in the rainy season and 650 hectares in the dry season, helping farmers to increase their production by 10.26 percent if compared to 2014.
Currently, it has seen an increase in rice production every year since 2012.
Last year, the district could produce 37,187 tonnes to distribute for domestic supply as well as more than 1,600 tonnes of organic rice which was exported to overseas markets.
However, Mr Somdeth believed Lao rice quality is now accepted in overseas markets, so it can continue to grow.
Sangthong district is looking forward to expanding its marketing in other countries through using modern technology to further increase rice production.
According to the Agriculture and Forestry Department, Savannkhet province is looking to increase rice exports to China to more than 10,000 tonnes a year after the first order for 8,000 tonnes was received from the Chinese market last year.
Laos exports rice to overseas markets but the exact figures were not available. It is estimated that 300,000-400,000 tonnes were exported from farms nationwide last year, according to the Agriculture and Forestry Department.
