Assessment of Farmer’s Satisfaction and Preference Using Improved Rice Varieties in the Southern Lao PDR

Abstract

Since 1993, more than 21 improved rice varieties have been released to Lao farmers. However, there is no study conducted yet on farmer’s satisfaction on the use of improved rice varieties. Hence, the purposes of this study were to 1) evaluate the level of farmer’s satisfaction on using improved rice varieties; and 2) farmer’s preferences on rice characteristics. Purposive and simple random samplings were used to select the samples. Intervals mean score was used to measure the level of farmer’s satisfaction. The target population was farmers who have grown rice under irrigated and rainfed conditions in the lowland areas. A total of 118 farming households in the rice producing areas of Savannakhet and Champasak provinces were surveyed through structured questionnaires from March to April 2011. The study found that all rice grown under irrigation were improved varieties. In rain-fed condition, about 96% were improved varieties and about 4% were traditional varieties. The average rice yield in irrigated areas was higher than in rainfed conditions. Popular improved rice varieties grown in the study areas were Phonengam 3 (PNG3), followed by Thasano 3 (TSN3) and Thadokkham 1 (TDK1). The level of farmer’s satisfaction on using improved rice varieties ranged from high to highest level. However, the aroma characteristic was at a medium level. High yielding characteristic was the most preferred by farmers, followed by the grain size, early maturity, tolerance to drought, and resistance to pest and diseases.