Converting Upland Rice to Terrace Rice : An Alternative for Sustainable Rice Farming System in Highlands

Abstract

Converting upland rice to terraces rice production is considered as a sustainable rice farming system on the sloping areas of upper northern of Thailand. Upland rice yield always fluctuate due to the variability environment. Rice yield from terrace paddy fields was higher and more stable than that of upland fields. The increased yield from terrace rice farming could promote and encourage the highland community to conserve the forest. Rice yield could be doubled by converting from upland to terrace rice production and further increased by 25% with soil fertility improvement. By switching from traditional cultivars to recommended cultivars well-adapted to highland, the yield of terrace rice could be increased by 50%.