18/09/2026
Laos has one of the richest collections of rice genetic diversity in the world, second only to India. Estimating the exact number depends on whether you count genetic strains or traditional local names:
13,000+ Collected Germplasm Samples: Between 1995 and 2000, a major conservation project by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry alongside the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) collected 13,192 distinct traditional rice samples across the country.
3,100+ Named Local Landraces: From those field collections, researchers documented 3,169 distinct traditional local variety names used by farmers across different regions and ethnic groups.
Estimated 10,000+ Distinct Genetic Varieties: Because different ethnic groups use different local names for the same strain—and conversely, generic terms like Khao Kam (black rice) encompass dozens of unique genetic strains—scientists estimate Laos harbors 10,000 or more genetically unique traditional rice varieties.
Key Characteristics of Lao Rice Diversity
Glutinous Rice Dominance: Roughly 85% of all traditional rice varieties grown in Laos are sticky (glutinous) rice (Khao Niew), making Laos home to the highest concentration of sticky rice diversity on Earth.
Upland vs. Lowland: Around two-thirds of traditional samples collected come from upland rainfed ecosystems where ethnic minority groups have cultivated unique landraces for generations.
Specialized Types: Varieties range across aromatic rices (like Khao Kai Noi or "Little Chicken Rice"), deep purple/black rices (Khao Kam), and floating or deep-water rices.
Photo: Lao project staff is collecting rice samples for data entry in 2013.
