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

channels, including Vietnamese traders, agents, or enterprises while farmers can
purchase Thai fertilizers through fertilizer shops, imported companies, and rice millers.
Besides, Thailand also is one of the major sources of rice varieties in Lao PDR. Seed of
the standard IR and OM varieties has been transported from Viet Nam to Cambodia for
rice production although the price is low due to low quality and standard. Moreover, it
is reported that there was a large amount of fertilizer was imported to Cambodia from
Viet Nam illegally through cross borders. Farmers can travel to Viet Nam to purchase
goods, which they then sell to dealers for a profit.

1.2.2. Farmers

Though having a disadvantage of small average farm area, Viet Nam holds its
yield advantage by mainly adopting improved rice varieties, rather than maintaining
traditional varieties. The average farm size in Viet Nam is recorded at a value of 0.34
ha while these numbers of Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Thailand are much higher with
respective values of 2.9 ha, 4.75 ha (5.67 ha for dry season, 3.83 ha for wet season),
and 4.04 ha. However, Viet Nam is the leading country with productivity of nearly 6
tons/ha. Since farmers in all targeted countries have long-standing experiences in rice
production, the outstanding performance of Vietnamese farmers is possibly explained
by the development of input supply systems with various high-quality seeds, fertilizers,
mechanization applications, and especially the full supply of irrigated water. With the
advantages of farm size area, Lao PDR and Cambodia are having opportunities in
boosting production through applying machines in different stages, especially when
the room for the development of mechanization in these two countries is high.
Table 9: Average farm size and crops by countries

Average farm Share of farmers producing Share of farmers participating
size (ha) 2 crops per year (%) in cooperatives (%)

Viet Nam 0.34 50% 80%
Lao PDR 2.9 11.2% 80%
Cambodia 4.75 23% N/A
Thailand 4.04 N/A N/A

Source: Based on data of IPSARD, CDRI and NAFRI country reports.

The role of farmer organizations in rice sector in Viet Nam and Lao PDR has
been increased significantly in recent years. It was recorded that more than 80% of
farmers in Viet Nam and Lao PDR have participated in cooperatives and received
regular technical supports through trainings with experts. Some cooperatives are
currently involved in seeking out and connecting with traders and enterprises, then
negotiating consumption contracts with the goal of giving farmers more benefits from
lower input prices and higher output prices. Meanwhile, Cambodian farmers have not
seen the benefits that they can gain from Farmers’ organization, which represents the
low percentage of farmers attending Cooperatives (35%).

Vietnamese farmers have the advantage of the capacity to produce two or
three rice crops per year. The modern irrigation systems, which enable to fully provide
water resource for rice production, benefits Vietnamese farmers in producing more

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