Page 24 - Regional_rice_report_with_full_bookmarks

PROJECT “NETWORK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THINK-TAKS FOR COUNTRIES IN MEKONG-SUB REGION” (NARDT)

- Rice varieties
In Cambodia, the selection of varieties is also focused through researches
on improving local rice varieties as well as importing varieties abroad, especially the
cooperation between this country’s agricultural sector and the IRRI International Rice
Institute. According to the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF), the country has selected
the three best rice varieties including Sen kro ob 01 (a fragrant rice variety), phka
romduol (also commonly known as phka malis, or jasmine rice of Cambodia), and
an IR rice variety. Phka romduol, phka romeat, and phka rumdeng are aromatic rice
varieties commonly harvested during the rainy season; while lotus kro ob and lotus
pidao are mainly produced during the dry season months.

In Lao PDR, most of farmers prefer to grow two types of rice: sticky rice and
white rice. The sticky rice covered 91 % of total production in both wet and dry seasons
of the year 2020 (local varieties covered by 73% and improved varieties was only 18%
of the sticky rice) meanwhile the white rice covered only 9 % of total rice production
in the year and 6% of that are local varieties. The selection of rice varieties is also
interesting by the Government through the system of national seed research agencies.
In particular, the Government of Lao PDR has promoted cooperation activities with
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to create rice varieties. Thadokham
varieties TDK1 tolerance to flooding (TDK1-Sub1) and widely used in Sebangfai plain
and spread to other main plains for rice growing of central and southern of Lao PDR.
While TDK lines developed in Vientiane are suitable across most of the country, Phon
Ngam varieties (PNG lines) developed in Champassak are popular in the Southern
region. Similarly, Thasano varieties (TSN lines) developed in Savannakhet are popular
in the Central-Lower. The Lao PDR government has a recommended for rice varieties
used by the regions and the position of the terrace and almost of those varieties are
improved, high yield, wide adopted in the local conditions with good eating quality
(aromatic and soft when eating), and also resistance to moderate to pest and diseases.

In Viet Nam, the varieties of rice include the following groups i) aromatic,
specialty rice; ii) high-quality rice, iii) medium quality rice, iv) sticky rice, and v) other
varieties. The structure of rice varieties has had a positive change in the direction of
meeting market demand. The percentage of aromatic rice varieties and high-quality
rice varieties has increased rapidly.
Table 7: Structure of rice varieties in Viet Nam 2015-2019

Group Unit 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Area Ha 4,073,954 4,050,367 3,946,024 3,918,693 3,950,555
Total
Share % 100 100 100 100 100
Aromatic Area Ha 647,613 692,186 730,986 959,670 1,037,328
special Share % 11.4 12.0 13.5 17.5 18.0
Area Ha 1,473,609 1,503,616 1,541,984 1,545,612 1,661,317
High quality
Share % 39.8 39.5 41.0 41.0 42.0

Medium Area Ha 1,261,840 1,030,259 899,631 765,648 715,396
quality Share % 29.0 29.0 28.0 26.5 26.0

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