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The certification in organic rice production: The case of Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Thesis Abstract:
Organic rice production has high potential in Lao PDR in terms of favorable environmental condition and demand of internal and external markets. To promote
organic rice production, certification is an important issue not only in creating integrity among consumers, traders, and producers but it acts as marketing instrument to be able to obtain premium prices. This study analyzed the model of organic rice production certification process of the Clean Agriculture Center of the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR.
Case study method presented in descriptive and qualitative way was used in this study. Secondary data were sourced from the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Clean Agriculture Development Center (CADC), Promotion of Organic Farming and Marketing in Lao PDR (PROFIL) Project, ProRice, and District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO). Key informant interviews and focus group discussions included top management and staff involved in the operation of organic promotion program.
The study found that organic rice has been produced in 10 villages in the district of Sangthong. Their production system has evolved from conventional method to organic by following the Lao organic standards with the support of DOA and ProRice. This production system was newly introduced to the target farmers; hence they are in the stage of learning new organic technology. Organic rice production is in the beginning stage in terms of meeting organic certification standard. The geophysical structure of Sangthong is rolling and all farmers did not convert their farms into organic. Organic rice production requires more labor and more technical procedures. Most farmers were small landholders and they were familiar with the simple method of conventional agriculture. Although there were demands for certified organic rice, this product of Sangthong was not sold at a premium price since it is still undergoing the process of organic standards certification.
The study suggests participatory certification process model for organic rice production of Sangthong where cooperation between CB, organic rice producers, and traders is needed.