Overview
This project aimed to extend on-farm testing of alternative rice establishment methods and disseminate these results to provide smallholder farmers in Lao PDR and Cambodia with a greater range of options to better manage climate risk and labour constraints, and improve their livelihoods.
It has met and exceeded its objectives: 1) the facilitation of on-farm testing of mechanised rice establishment options in regions of Lao PDR and Cambodia in 2013; 2) the creation and dissemination of Lao language training materials; and 3) supporting five Masters students; two in Lao PDR and three in Thailand.
The project has demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of dry and wet direct seeding in Lao PDR and Cambodia. The outcome is ongoing high interest from farmers in the direct establishment methods for wet season rain-fed rice crops. In Laos and Cambodia, we recorded a rapidly expanding number of households outside case study areas using direct seeding technologies. We conclude that direct seeding technology has a high prospect of adoption and future impact.
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