Nuclear Methods Enhance Rice Yields in Lao PDR

Rice is a staple food and a source of income for rural households in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is the cornerstone of national food security.

More than 80% of farmers grow rice, which occupies around 60% of Lao PDR's cultivated land. The country has set a target of increasing agricultural production to 5.5 million tonnes of paddy rice.

Meeting these goals requires not only higher yields but also more resilient production systems and stronger agricultural research capacity. But farmers face growing challenges. Changes in the environment, flooding, plant diseases and increasing pressure on agricultural systems are making rice production increasingly difficult.

This is where nuclear science can help. Farmers and scientists in Lao PDR have worked with the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture , and under the IAEA technical cooperation programme , to develop improved rice varieties that can better withstand changing conditions while meeting the needs of consumers.

Meeting Lao PDR's growing demand for rice requires continuous innovation. Scientists at the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute have been improving locally adapted rice varieties using a combination of nuclear and conventional breeding techniques, focusing on higher yields, earlier maturity and better performance under increasingly difficult growing conditions.

One key technique is induced mutation breeding , which helps plant breeders create and identify useful genetic variations that may not exist in current varieties. Combined with field evaluation and selection, the technique has helped researchers develop rice varieties that respond to both farmer needs and market demands.

Among the resulting varieties is Saphart 1, which matures around 20 days earlier than conventional varieties and produces approximately 20% higher yields. Another improved variety, Houykhod 2, combines moderate resistance to blast disease and flooding with qualities suitable for rice noodle production and other value-added products. The new varieties provide farmers with more reliable production options while creating new economic opportunities.

"These achievements demonstrate how nuclear techniques, including induced mutation breeding combined with modern breeding technologies, can accelerate the development of climate-resilient and farmer-preferred crop varieties that contribute to food security and sustainable agriculture," said Fatma Sarsu, a technical officer in plant breeding and genetics at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre.

The success of the new rice varieties reflects not only advances in plant breeding but also the active role of farming communities in shaping agricultural innovation. Farmers have worked closely with researchers to evaluate and select rice varieties under local conditions, identifying traits that matter most in the field, such as higher yields, earlier maturity and resilience to environmental stresses.

"Rather than simply receiving new materials, farmers were directly involved in selecting and testing varieties in their own environments," said Siviengkhek Phommalath, Director of the Rice and Cash Crop Research Center of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute. "This helped ensure that the varieties responded to local needs and encouraged wider adoption by farming communities."

Farmers have continued to play a key role since the varieties were released. Since 2022, farmer groups have led the multiplication and distribution of seed, helping improved rice varieties reach communities across the country.

In Saphart village in Wapi district, Salavanh province, a group of 19 farmers took the lead in producing and marketing seed of the newly released Saphart 1 variety, producing and selling 9.5 tonnes during the 2026 season. Uptake has been rapid. In Wapi district alone, more than 300 farmers now grow Saphart 1 for household consumption and local markets. The variety covers around 350 hectares in the dry season and is expected to reach 450 hectares in the wet season.

Seed produced by the farmer group has since reached neighbouring districts across Salavanh province, strengthening local systems as it spreads.

Women have been among the driving forces behind this expansion. Through community-based seed production groups, they have played a key role in multiplying, distributing and promoting improved rice seed, combining local knowledge with scientific innovation to ensure new varieties deliver tangible benefits to households across the province.

The benefits of these efforts extend well beyond individual farms. Earlier-maturing and higher-yielding varieties can help increase rice availability while reducing some of the risks associated with flooding, disease and unpredictable weather.

At the same time, stronger seed systems are helping more farmers gain access to quality planting material, supporting both productivity and income generation. By combining scientific innovation with farmers' knowledge and experience, Lao PDR is building a more resilient and sustainable rice sector that can support long-term food security.