ASSESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND DETERMINANTS OF RICE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IN LAO PDR: THE CASE STUDY OF SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE

Rice is the most essential staple crop in the Lao PDR, accounting for more than 80% of cultivated land and serving as the main source of household food consumption. Despite strong national demand, rice production efficiency remains constrained by several technical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. This study evaluates the determinants of rice production efficiency in Savannakhet Province using the Cobb–Douglas Stochastic Frontier Production Function. Results show that production factors positively associated with rice yield include cultivated area, rice varieties, fertilizer use, labor input, and production equipment. Conversely, inefficiency is significantly influenced by variables such as education level, technical training, and land-use adaptation, which are negatively correlated with inefficiency levels. Water management practices are found to play a critical role in enhancing productivity, particularly in adapting to climate variability and improving irrigation reliability. The average technical efficiency of households is estimated at approximately 61%, suggesting moderate efficiency with substantial potential for improvement. Strengthening technical training, improving access to appropriate technologies, and developing irrigation systems can significantly enhance production efficiency and support agricultural development in the province.