Analysis of Biological Risks in Rice Production Systems in Phayao Province

Abstract

Phayao province is one of the major commercial production of Hom Mali rice in the Upper North, its rice planted areas is next to the Chiang Rai province. Provincial rice yield is low, averaging 453 kg/rai. The causes of low rice yield are many, including rice pests. The research objective is to analyze biological risks in lowland rice production systems of Phayao province. The methods consisted of field survey and farmer interview in 7 Amphurs and 2 King-amphurs with a total of 632 farmers. The interview also covered key farmer leaders of 36 community rice seed centers (CRSCs). Farmer workshop was organized with key farmer participants from 36 CRSCs to jointly determine criteria for and to carry out biological risk assessment. The results from participatory risk assessment revealed that animal pests contributed to highest risk, with its occurrence accounted for 26.7 percent and distribution over 32.4 percent of total rice planted areas. The next biological risks are followed by diseases, weeds and insect pests. The major animal pests were rice-field crab and golden apple snail, having biological risks of 41.6 and 32.6 percent, respectively, and distributing over 52.5 and 39.3 percent of rice planted areas, respectively, causing yield loss of 13.8 and 11.6 percent, respectively. Blast was the major disease, having biological risk of 30.3 percent, covering 36.0 percent of rice planted, and causing yield loss of 18.1 percent. Gall midge was the major insect pest, having biological risk of 25.8 percent, covering 27.9 percent of rice planted area, and causing yield loss of 13.6 percent.