Last year, the farm produced at least 8,000 tonnes of rice and expects production to reach its goal of 10,000 tonnes by the end of this year in response to partners’ orders.

Thongsavan believes the quality of Lao rice is now acceptable in overseas markets and expects continued growth with the farm expanding markets overseas and using modern technology to further boost production.

“PADF is also helping other farmers to see the importance of modern farming techniques such as better planting methods to improve rice quality and yields,” Thongsavan said.

According to the Savannkhet province Agriculture and Forestry Department, they were looking to increase rice exports to China to more than 10,000 tonnes a year after the first order for 8,000 tonnes was received from China last year.

Xuanye (Lao) Company Limited was approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission to be the sole importer of Lao rice into China with a quota of 8,000 tonnes.

In October, the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China granted approval for the import of Lao rice by the Xuanye (Lao) Company Limited.

This year, the first shipment of rice imports from Laos passed through inspection and quarantine procedures at south China’s Shenzhen port, according to local authorities.

The shipment weighed 87.8 tonnes and was valued at US$746 million, the Shenzhen Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said. China mainly imports rice from Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan, and recently added Laos to the list.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry estimated that Lao rice exports were between 300,000-400,000 tonnes last year.