Challenges in the Effective Use of Farm Ponds: Towards Improving Paddy Rice Cultivation in Semi-mountainous Areas in Laos

摘要

In Laos, there is a distinct rainy season (May-October) and dry season (November-April). About 90% of annual precipitation (1300-3300 mm) fall during rainy season, which means that rainfall is hardly ever expected during dry season. Irrigation facilities have not been installed on most paddy rice fields, thus water supply to crops depends mainly on rainwater as water source. As a result, paddy rice yield during rainy season is affected by the amount and timing of rainfall, whereas crop cultivation during dry season is impossible due to water shortage.