This document discusses organic rice production in Thailand. It provides details on organic rice farming models developed in key regions of Thailand since the early 1990s. These models emphasize soil fertility management using green manures and composts, as well as cultural practices suitable for organic systems like certain rice varieties, transplanting methods, and integrated pest management. The document also summarizes research on varietal selection and planting methods for organic systems. It provides an example of organic rice cultivation in Northern Thailand, covering variety selection, land preparation, soil and water management, pest control, post-harvest handling, and average yields of 3-4 tons per hectare.

1. ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION
Boondit Varinruk
Agronomist
Rice Research and Development Division, Rice Department, MOAC, Thailand.
E-mail: boondit.v@rice.mail.go.th June 2-3, 2015
SRI (System of Rice Intensification)
&

2. Topics ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION :
1. OR production framework
2. OR farming model development
3. Some OR research & development
4. Case: OR cultivation in Upper
Northern Thailand
Comment to SRI :
1. SRI & Conventional techniques
2. Modification of SRI
3. Experiment in the farmer field

3. 2. ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION FRAME WORK

4. 1992 : Chiengrai & Phayao : North
* private company, farmers, RD
‚ FRAGRANT RICE‛
1993 : Surin & Yasothon : Northeast
* NGO’s, farmer group
ORGANIC RICE PRODUCTION
in THAILAND
*Chiengrai
*Payao
*Surin
*Yasothorn

5. “ CHIENGRAI/PHAYAO “
Facilitate by
‘Top Organic Products & Supplies’ (STC)
MARKETING : TOP, Riseria Monferrato
FARMING : 3 farmer groups RRDD
PROCESSING : CRI miller, CapRice
CERTIFY : BAC (Italy)
‚ORGANIC RICE : ThHML, GR‛

6. 3. ORGANIC FARMING MODEL DEVELOPMENT
3 Layers:
A: BASIC ASPECTS/GUIDELINE
B: FARMERS PRACTICES
C: RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGY
(R&D) 3 COMPONENTS :
A: Production site
B: Cultivation model
C: Product management
Certification system

7. BASIC ASPACTS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
 Emphasize; soil fertility, bio-
diversity, balance of nature
 Chemical-free, GMO’s free
‘safety food’
 Health and environment concern
 Certification and traceability
 Green business.

8. 1. Production site
 Soil fertility, Topography,
Water, Climate
 Resources,
Risk & Support factors
 Boundary, Contamination,
Treatment & Protection
“Production site management”

9. 2. Cultivation model : (techniques & inputs)
 Varieties & seed
 Cultural practices
 Soil fertility management
 Crop protection
 Post harvest management
“Cultivation management”

10. 3. PRODUCTION/YIELD MANAGEMENT
• Harvesting date
• Estimated yield
• Tools & Material preparation
• Combined harvester dating
• Paddy rice drying plan
• Paddy bags tagging/coding
• Separation from other paddy rice??

11. Certification system
 Site assessment
 Cultivation techniques assessment,
monitoring and sampling
 Production stock & quality control
 Report summary & verify
 Certify or not…

12. OR Model arrangement
A : Conformed components adapted
B : Incompatible components:
 replace by local materials/techniques
 research and development
C : Base on : the advantage of local
resource, traditional cultivar, suitable
condition.

13. 4. SELECTED RESEARCH ON ORGANIC RICE :
4.1 Varietal assessment :
Variety Group
ORGANIC CHEMICAL
t/ha % t/ha %
1. Photo-sens. 3.3 102 3.2 100
2. Non-photo-sens. 3.7 86 4.4 100
3. HYV 4.3 84 5.1 100
4. Japonica 2.1 73 2.9 100
a. 1999-2001 Varietal assessment

14. b. 2002 : Varietal assessment
CV(M)=13.3% CV(S) =8.0% F-test: M x S = 1.75ns
Variety (S)
Cultivation (M) Mean-
varietyChemical Organic Untreated
1. KDML105 2.98 2.91 2.68 2.86cd
2. Red jasmine 2.84 2.67 2.05 2.52c
3. Hawm Pitsanulok 1 3.38 3.61 2.88 3.29 b
4. RD6 3.08 3.28 2.72 3.03 c
5. Suphan Buri 1 4.05 4.30 3.45 3.91 a
6. Pathumtani 1 3.18 2.69 2.48 2.79 d
7. Sakolnakorn 3.10 2.90 2.75 2.91cd
8. Sanpatong 1 4.14 3.94 3.54 3.88a
Mean – model 3.34 a 3.28 a 2.82 b -

15. c. 2003 : Varietal assessment
CV(M)=11.0% CV(S) =7.7% F-test: M x S = 2.11*
Variety (S)
Cultivation (M) Mean-
varietyChemical Organic Untreated
1. KDML105 3.71a 3.83a 3.01b 3.52
2. Red jasmine 4.04a 4.11a 3.14b 3.76
3. Hawm Pitsanulok 1 3.96a 3.88a 3.33b 3.72
4. RD6 4.28a 4.09ab 3.68b 4.01
5. Suphan Buri 1 5.03a 4.58a 3.86b 4.49
6. Pathumtani 1 4.66a 3.98b 3.66b 4.10
7. Sakolnakorn 3.98a 3.36b 3.23b 3.52
8. Sanpatong 1 5.15a 4.24b 3.84b 4.41
Mean – model 4.35 4.01 3.47 -

16. d. RICE VARIETY FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION
• Most of photo-sensitive
tall varieties are suitable
• Some semi-dwarft is
suitable (e.g.SPR1)
• Japonica rice is not
suitable to organic
cultivation (due to high
N requirement)

17. 4.2 Planting method improvement :
a. 1999-2001 : at CHR
Plt. methods
Grain yield(t/ha)
1998 1999 2000 2001
1. Dibbling 1/ 4.0a 4.1a 2.8b 1.9b
2. Drilled in row 3.9a 4.0a 4.0a 2.1b
3. Broadcasting 4.2a 4.1a 3.6a 2.2b
4. Transplanting 4.0a 3.7a 3.3ab 3.6a
C.V.(%) 11.6 6.9 15.1 11.8
1/ changed to pre-germinated seed broadcasting

18. b. 2002-2003 average* on 3 locations :
Planting method
Location
Mean
PAN PRE SPT
t/ha %ck t/ha %ck t/ha %ck t/ha %ck
1. pre-germinated seed
broadcasting
2.51 79 2.88 67 3.61 98 3.00 81
2. Dry-seed broadcasting 2.88 91 2.83 66 3.17 86 2.96 80
3. Dry-seed drilled 2.80 88 3.54 83 3.06 83 3.13 84
4. Transplanting(CK) 3.18 100 4.28 100 3.69 100 3.72 100
Mean 2.84 - 3.38 - 3.38 - 3.20 -
*Average from 3rd to 6th year experiments out of 8 year

19. c: PLANTING METHOD for OR
• Transplanting is the most
preferred
• Dry-seeded drilling and
broadcasting can be used in
some area
• Recommend to alternate
planting method

20. 4.3 Soil fertility management :
a. 1997-2000 at CRI :
* Rice plants were infected by bacterial leaf bright and neck blast.
Treatments Years
1997 1998 1999 * 2000
1. Green manure (mung bean) 2.63b 4.28a 3.22a 3.31b
2. Animal manure (cow dung) 2.90b 4.14a 3.21a 3.36ab
3. T1+T2 3.18b 4.18a 3.39a 3.83a
4. Chemical fertility (9-6-0) 3.63a 4.45a 3.43a 3.37ab
5. Control 2.82b 3.43b 3.21a 2.80b
Means 3.12 4.11 3.29 3.30
C.V. (%) 8.5 11.1 5.2 11.2

21. b. 1998-2001 average on 4 locations :
Treatments
Locations Means
PAN PSL UBN PTL T/ha %CK
1. Green manure 3.28 2.58 2.48 1.93 2.57 154
2. Compost - - 2.43 1.99 2.21 132
3. Animal manure 3.28 2.98 2.54 2.01 2.16 129
4. Chemical
fertilizer
3.64 3.29 2.61 2.39 2.98 178
5. Control (CK) 2.96 2.22 2.00 1.17 1.67 100
Means 3.29 2.77 2.41 1.90 - -

22. c.Green manure 1999-2001 at CRI
Treatment RD15 KDML105
1999 2000 2001 1999 2000 2001
1. Control 2.56b 3.09b 2.68 abc 2.51b 3.19d 3.38bc
2. Cow pea 2.46b 3.11b 2.21c 2.55b 3.32cd 3.36bc
3. Mung bean 2.68b 3.24ab 2.38bc 2.54b 3.28cd 3.12c
4. Sunn hemp 2.63b 3.31ab 2.53 abc 2.50b 3.66bc 3.31bc
5. Seabania rostrata 3.11a 3.41a 2.78ab 3.06a 3.78ab 3.97a
6. CF (3+3) –4-4 3.46a 3.43a 2.99a 3.06a 4.14a 3.51ab
Mean 2.82 3.27 2.60 2.70 3.56 3.44
C.V.(%) 9.1 4.8 12.5 8.5 7.8 6.3

23. d. SOIL FERTILITY MANAGMANT FOR OR
• GM (mung bean) + FYM = CF
• KDML 105 average yield vary to location
(N S)
• Stubble GM CP FYM
• Organic <10-20% return <Chemical
• GM : Sesbania, Sunn hemp = 18.8
kgN/ha = CF : suited to organic farming
(erratic rainfall cond.)

24. 5. ORGANIC RICE CULTIVATION
IN NORTHERN THAILAND
• 800 ha rice field
• Soil: 1.0-2.5 % o.m. ; 3-38 ppm P,
25-91 ppm K
• Depend to rainfall
• 1,200-1,400 mm annual rainfall
• rice growing during May-Nov.
before rice : GM crops.
after rice : fallow, animal grazing

25. 5.1 RICE VARIETIES & SEED PRODUCTION
• Fragrant rice :
KDML105, RD15
• seed produced by farmer
group with technical
recommendation and
supported by CHR Rice
Research Center
รูปภาพ
• รวงข้าว
• ข้าวเปลือก,กล้อง,ข้าวสาร

26. 5.2 LAND PREPARATION & PLANTING METHODS
• Plowed twice : Mar-Aprilรูปภาพ
• รถไถนา
• ข้าวนาหว่าน
• แปลงกล้า, ข้าวนาดา
Dry ”seeded - 95kg/ha (mixed w/ mung bean
broadcast fb. harrowing)
Transplanted - 62 kg/ha
- prepare seedling nursery
in May & June
- puddle soil and left
submerged
- transplant in June & August

27. 5.3 SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT
A Plow rice stubble & corporate in to the
soil
B Grow green manure crops ; sunn
hemp, Sesbania, mungbean
C Add rice straw compost (if necessary)
D Apply FYM : cow dung (if necessary)
•

28. 5.4 WATER MANAGEMENT & WEED CONTROL
• 5-10 cm dept of water
vigorous plants
• transplanting weed control
• hand/mechanical weeding
(if necessary)
• drain out 10-15 d before
harvesting (depend on soil
texture)
รูปภาพ
• ข้าวหลังปักดา
• คนถอนหญ้า

29. 5.5 PEST CONTROL
A Craps & golden apple snail :
drain out ;collect for animal
feed & bio-extract application
Toxic plants: oleader, tea waste
B Gall midge : DSR < TPR
C Blast : ORF < CRF
D Natural enamies were observed

30. 5.6 POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT
• Harvested by sickle 2-3 d sun dry
collect & pile in the field 10-50 d.
threshing # manpower # machine
13-15 % M.C. paddy
• combined-harvester 4-5 d sun dry
AVERAGE GRAIN YIELD : 3-4 T/ha

31. 5.7 STORAGE & PROCESSING
CR/PY farmer * 2,800 t paddy
Miller (CRI) * 1,000 t w/b rice
CapRice(BKK) * graded/packed rice
Riseria M. * transport to Italy
Consumers * EU markets
รูปภาพ
• ข้าวเปลือก
• ข้าวสาร
• ข้าวบรรจุถุง
• โรงสี

32. 6. FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY
High : “ seed production
“ cultural practices
“ soil & water management
“ weed control
“ post harvest management
Moderate : “ organic fertilizer
“ pest control
Low : “ cropping system

33. CONCLUSION
‚OR farming in Northern Thailand‛
• high potential rice land ; less risk
factors
• favorable conditions w/o serious pest
• long time experienced farmers
• traditional cultivars, local materials
• R&D appropriate technology
• mostly well adpoted by farmers
‚PROTOTYPE FOR
ORGANIC RICE FARMING‛

34. OR BOOKS

35. 6 Key elements of SRI
1. Seedlings get transplanted at a much younger age.
2. Only single seedlings, instead of a handful of seedlings
get planted in each hill.
3. Plants are spaced wider apart, and in a square pattern.
4. Intermittent water application to create wet and dry soil
conditions, instead of continuous flood irrigation.
5. Rotary weeding to control weeds and promote soil
aeration.
6. Increased use of organic fertilizer to enhance soil
fertility.

36. SRI concept
“growing More with Less”
• Less seed use
• Less water use
• Less imported input
(Chem. Fertilizer & pesticide)
• More vigorous crop
• More grain yield
• More net return
• More labor use ??
Risk factors:
1. Crabs & Golden apple snails damage
2. Weed infestation

37. Comparison
SRI techniques;
low seed rate>>young seedling >>
single plant x wide spacing >> Rice
vs. Weed competition >> Require
weed control measure = 1 seed/1
plant x space/more tillers/stronger
root & stalk/more panicles x ~150
grains>> 4-6 ton/ha
 AWD >> soil aerate >> vigorous
root/stem >> high rate of Nutrient
uptake
 Rotary weeding >> weed control +
soil aerate
 Organic fertilizer >> soil fertility
Conventional techniques;
High seed rate >> High crop
density >> Rice vs. Rice
competition >> require
extra input (Chem.fertilizer,
Pesticide, Herbicide) =
1 seed/ 1 plant/ 1panicle x
~100 grains >> ~6 ton/ha
 Irrigation continuous flood
water,
 Adapted to erratic rainfed
condition.

38. Modification of SRI
Rice varietal diversification;
@ Tillering ability are differ between rice varieties and between group of
varieties, UR > RFL > IRL > DWR
@ When we plant upland rice in submerged lowland rice, result as no
tiller or less tillers.
@ Different rice group, response to different amount of Nitrogen;
Japonica > Semi-dwarft indica > traditional tall indica > deep water rice,
@ This must be manage correctly, both for amount & timing.

39. Modification of SRI
Young seedling /Single plant ;
@ To reduce labor intensive: Seedling nursery for parachute
transplanting with single seed in individual holes, transplanting in
straight rows by hand or machine for the following rotary weeding.
@ A chance for other rice ecosystem with low labor use:
In rainfed area where water is scarce, Dry seed dibbling can be
applied using dibbling machine, control for number of seed/hill, and
straight rows dibbling for the following rotary weeding.

40. Experiment in the farmer field
• Technology-generation experiment: to develop
new technology w/ higher yield & lower cost in the
farmers’ field; compare w/ control CK.
• Technology-verification experiment: To
compare new package technology w/ farmer
techniques in yield & profit; compare w/ farmer
practices.
• Field selection, Expt. design, Comparison, Data
collection, Data analysis & presentation.
(P 562-590 in: Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. 2nd
Edition by Kwanchai A. Gomez and Artiro A. Gomez)

41. Thank you