In the past four decades, rice has become a commercial crop of great importance to Lower Mekong farmers, augmenting but not replacing its role in securing their subsistence. Particularly in Northeast Thailand and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, rice farming has become a major export industry, spurring a process of rural development that has helped lift many households out of poverty.

ACIAR investment accelerated the introduction of the greatly needed direct-seeding technology

  This review has drawn on published research and the collective insights of a small team of experienced researchers to identify important trajectories in rice-based farming systems and to draw out the implications for agricultural research as a basis for discussion within ACIAR and the broader research community working on smallholder rice-based farming systems in MSEA.

ACIAR works closely with policymakers in our partner countries to optimise the impact of its research-for-development investments. A policy dialogue on rice futures in the Mekong region was held at the end of ACIAR’s 5-year Rice-based Systems Research program. These proceedings comprise the papers presented at the dialogue and synopses of the panel discussions. They emphasise that technical solutions alone are in

This is an invaluable reference book on the opportunities for crop yield increase to feed the world to 2050. Written by three world-renowned agricultural scientists, it is aimed at agricultural scientists and economists, decision-makers in the food production industry, concerned citizens and tertiary students. It includes information on crop area and yield change for wheat, rice, maize, soybean and 20 other important crops; a detailed tour of the key breadbasket

Rice in Laos (Lao translation)

  While India’s expansion of the rice–wheat cropping system led to the production of more food, it has also led to degradation of the natural environment, and concerns over the sustainability of the practice. This report looks at the returns on investment of ACIAR projects that sought to develop alternative practices for growing rice and wheat sustainably, and designing a machine that allows direct seeding of wheat into rice stubble.

An assessment of the impact of an ACIAR–World Vision extension project on improving rice crop yields in southern Laos. The assessment shows there have been significant gains in food security for the adopting farmers, with widespread acceptance of the new rice varieties and improvement of wet-season rice yields.

The focus of this study is to provide a conceptual framework in which both technological and policy choices can be evaluated in regards to the adoption of modern bulk handling methods and more efficient and effective grain-drying equipment in rice production in Malaysia.

A Khmer language publication on rice in Cambodia, including the history of rice cultivation, and all stages rice production management - from breeding to market.

These proceedings provide a summary of the research outputs of work in Vietnam to assess the significance of a biofertiliser called BioGro, which provides significant benefits for the growth and yield of rice.

An IRRI publication documenting the long association of Laos and its people with rice in historical, cultural and agricultural contexts.

Since the early 1970s the Indonesian government has had an active approach to agricultural policy, mainly to stimulate rice production in order to provide a stable base for the overall economy

The ACIAR-managed project CS1/1996/013, Herbicide-resistant weeds of wheat in India and Australia: integrated management, was designed to find a long-term method of control of Phalaris minor, a problem weed of the rice-wheat cropping system of north-western India

This report contains details of two ACIAR projects: an agronomic project designed to study environmental constraints to increase productivity of rainfed rice-based farming systems in the lowlands and upland areas of Sri Lanka and the Philippines and; an economic project focusing on the factors responsible for the difference between potential productivity and actual farm performance

These proceedings present the results of five years collaborative research involving scientists from Australia, Thailand and Lao PDR

OUT OF STOCK High yields from new early-maturing varieties of rice and the development of systems enabling two crops per year have created problems for the existing grain handling system in the ASEAN region

This is a companion volume to Technical Report No 13 (a study of rainfed rice production in Antique Province, Philippines)