What’s your opinion of the problems facing farmers?

Farmers are struggling with numerous problems, the most urgent being that some are unable to plough their fields or water their crops because they can’t get fuel. The high cost of fertiliser is another serious issue which, combined with a lack of manual labour, has led some farmers to abandon their fields this year. Vientiane Times asked a few farmers for their thoughts on the difficulties they face.

Mr Chanthavone, a farmer in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane: Most farmers in Vientiane have given up growing rice because other crops are easier. It’s quite difficult to hire workers to help with farming because young people want to do other kinds of work. No have one wants to do farming because it’s hard work and dirty, so if they have another option they will take it. And of course, farm labourers don’t get paid much. A lot of villages around here have a large number of older people and children, and they can’t work in the fields. The best way is to mechanise farming, but that requires fuel, which is a huge problem right now. I really don’t see a solution to this problem other than giving up farming. 

Mr Nou, a farmer in Vientiane province: Yes, crop cultivation is problematic this year because of the fuel crisis and the high cost of fertiliser, both of which are having a serious impact on farmers. Many people in my village have abandoned their fields this year because they can’t cope with the high costs. They say that everything costs more nowadays, and the weather is always a problem too because it’s unpredictable. We hardly make a profit when we harvest our crops. It would be good if the government could take action to resolve the problems we face as soon as possible, so that the situation stabilises and farmers can make a decent living.

Ms Chansouk Phasouk, a resident of Xaythany district, Vientiane: As we all know, farming is very difficult right now because there are so many problems. Farmers tend to be poorly informed about efficient methods of cultivation and harvesting, and they can’t afford to buy modern equipment or apply new technology. It’s possible that, because fertiliser is so expensive now, more people will switch to organic farming. The government should give farmers more information and encourage them to move to organic methods of cultivation.

Mr Ae Xaiyadeth, a farmer in Luang Prabang province: It’s true that today we are facing many problems. The fuel crisis could result in a lack of rice and other crops for people to eat and farmers to sell. Young people today aren’t interested in farming, so there aren’t enough workers to tend to crops and harvest them. And not many people can afford to apply modern farming methods, especially as many farmers are poor. In addition, changing weather patterns make farming difficult, and there are always crop diseases and insect infestations to deal with. The authorities should provide more support farmers, because food security is important. The government also needs to involve the private sector and work in partnership to train farmers in good agricultural practices. If this can be done, more crops will be grown so that less produce needs to be imported, and Laos will achieve food security.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update June 20, 2022)