The current adoption of dry-direct seeding rice (DDSR) in Thailand and lessons learned for Mekong River Delta of Vietnam

With support from the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Southeast Asia (CCAFS SEA), a joint study trip was organized for Vietnamese rice researchers, extension workers, as well as local decision makers, to visit Thailand in April 2018. The goal of the study trip was to observe and learn the experience of Thai farmers in regards to the large-scale adoption process of dry-direct seeding rice (DDSR), a viable alternative to address regional scarcity of fresh water in irrigation caused by drought and salinity intrusion in the Mekong River Delta.

During this trip, the provincial rice research departments and their centers in Thailand gave the Vietnamese team updates on their progress on the implementation and adoption of DDSR throughout the country. The policy mechanisms and finance support from stakeholders (i.e., government, private sector) who favor the application of DDSR were also shared and discussed. During the visits to farmer field sites, the team was introduced to existing techniques and equipment of DDSR being applied by Thai farmers and local organizations.

The following main conclusions were noted: 1) the major drivers of the shift from puddled transplanting or wet sowing to DDSR are the rising scarcities of water and labor. DDSR can be a valuable rice culture to address the emerging water and labor crises for not only irrigated rice areas but also rainfed rice; 2) precise land leveling, suitable cultivars, good crop establishment, precise water management, and effective and efficient weed and nutrient management are key prerequisites for the success of DDSR; and 3) anticipatory research and development strategies need to be developed for areas where DDSR is likely to be adopted. This is to sustain DDSR on a long-term basis.