GLUTINOUS RICE AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR HILL FARMERS IN LAOS

Glutinous or wary rice is the most important crop for subsistence farm ing economies in the hills of Northern Laos. Hill farmers continue to use traditional varieties only. Geographical and political isolation h ave contributed towards their preservation. Traditional varieties are mainly of the japonica type, have a good yield potential, are well ada pted to the local conditions, and represent a wide genetic diversity. Farmers interviewed prefer varieties with large panicles, planted 2.7 varieties on average, with 17, 30 and 53% of the area planted to early , medium and late varieties, respectively. Our of 544 traditional cult ivars 95% powered within 88-120 days after planting. Crops planted tog ether with rice in order of importance are: maize, cucumber, chili, ta re, and sesame. Farmers reported annual milled rice production of 125 kg per capita and rice self-sufficiency for 8 months for 1992 and 1993 . Maize, cassava, and products from the forest are major rice substitu tes and food security in remote areas could best be improved by increa sing production of maize and cassava in combination with livestock pro duction systems.