Rice cooperatives still held back by marketing
Lao rice cooperatives have made good progress in terms of their rice production efforts but marketing and sales deficiencies are still causing problems for the co-ops. Agricultural officials and representatives from model cooperatives in the provinces of Xayaboury, Khammuan, Savannakhet and Vientiane are currently meeting in Vientiane to exchange experiences on rice planting techniques and discuss issues related to production and marketing. Despite the government, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, having launched various initiatives to encourage farmers to boost their yields through new techniques the sale of the surplus rice produced is still proving difficult. Problems with marketing and sales include the instability of the rice price, farmers’ lack of understanding about rice standards and quality controls, planting of old rice varieties instead of those in high demand in regional markets as well as the lack of contractual arrangements between farmers groups and rice millers and marketers.
