Off-season rice crop in 22 provinces threatened by drought

[webfact]

Off-season rice crop in 22 provinces threatened by drought

By THE NATION

 

 

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has expressed concern that rice farmers in 22 provinces around Chao Phraya River basin might not have enough water for off-season rice paddy of over 2.25 million rai that they already started growing.

 

“The Agriculture Ministry had previously advised them against off-season farming as the Royal Irrigation Department had reported that they could not provide adequate water due to the severe drought,” he said. “I suggested to farmers to switch from rice to crops that require less water, or else they risk facing a water shortage crisis even for daily consumption that might require buying water from external sources.”

 

The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) estimated that 800,000 rai of off-season rice paddy fields could be damaged from the drought. “The damage was estimated at Bt4.1 billion while the total product cost of off-season rice is around Bt5.5 billion,” said Rapheephat Chansriwong, the OAE secretary-general. “We, therefore, have ordered all related agencies to promote the farming of crops other than rice to prevent further possible damage.”

 

According to Rapheephat, the Chao Phraya River basin has 7.89 million rai of available farmlands. “Currently 2.25 million rai were already used for off-season rice, which means we have 5.64 million rai left for other crops,” he said. “The recommended choice is corn for animal feeds, which total over 3.41 million rai are suitable for growing.”

 

The secretary-general further explained that last year corn for animal feed had generated significant profits to farmers since they require less water than rice and are still in high demand in the domestic market.

 

“The cost of corn production is Bt4,370 per tonne, but they can be sold at Bt7,810 per tonne,” he added. “Furthermore, the left over areas of 2.23 million rai could be used for growing mung beans and peanuts, as both required less water and have high domestic demand.”

 

The Agriculture Ministry has also ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to hire local workers to dig canals and construct additional reservoirs in areas that are estimated to be affected by drought. “This project aims to provide additional income to farmers whose crops are damaged, as well as reserve water for agriculture later this year,” added Rapheephat.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380464

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-13

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[Just1Voice]

They were told NOT to plant off season due to the drought, so no sympathy for them.

[Assurancetourix]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has expressed concern that rice farmers in 22 provinces around Chao Phraya River basin might not have enough water for off-season rice paddy

 

"off season" is it difficult to understand?
When you put your wallet before all other considerations, you should expect problems sooner or later .

 

No one can fight the Earth and its elements;
no more the Chinese than the Thai.
Remember the Chinese campaign against birds that ate a few seeds.
It was about fifty years ago;
billions of birds have died and crops have been devastated by rodents.

[Matzzon]

I guess that´s one reason why they call it off season, but understanding the meaning of things is out of the question. When it comes to analysing something and see if it has a possibility to succeed before doing it, is an alien concept. After that comes the problem solving in minimizing the damage before it´s too late. They never heard about that either.

[Assurancetourix]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Agriculture Ministry has also ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to hire local workers to dig canals and construct additional reservoirs in areas that are estimated to be affected by drought.

 

In other words, almost all of Thailand.
These channels and reservoirs already exist;
the big problem of the thai people is that they are big lazy people who think that all this does not need maintenance or repairs.
 

The current drought has already existed in the past but the peasants of the old days were wise;
they did not grow rice during the dry season.
Or very occasionally when their rice fields were right next to an important river; so ridiculous additional surfaces.

The other problem that thousands of farmers will face is the food of their livestock;
Put your cows and buffaloes in the dry rice fields so that these animals feed on straw?
straw has never been a good  food for ruminants;
it is used to put on the ground in the stables and mixed with animal excrement it makes an excellent manure to enrich the next harvest.
They had better grow "cow grass" which uses much less water than rice or maize to grow and is the food of excellence for cows and buffaloes. (And horses where there are )

 

 

 

[legend49]

look at altenatives to grow; ginger will get you 100% more cash return. Maybe Mary Jane might be something to look at the Junta looks to make a huge tax from this weed.

[RichardColeman]

5 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

They were told NOT to plant off season due to the drought, so no sympathy for them.

Maybe they were told that before the bank asked for the money back

[dinsdale]

6 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

They were told NOT to plant off season due to the drought, so no sympathy for them.

Absolutely correct. No rice for houselhold consumption and no income from a second crop. I have no sympathy either Just1voice. On the smaller scale they're just poor peasant rice farmers. Let 'em starve.

[johng]

13 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

they're just poor peasant rice farmers. Let 'em starve.

Maybe they can eat cake instead ?

[digger70]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Agriculture Ministry had previously advised them against off-season farming

So whats the problem? They knew that there wasn't going to be enough water Why the whinging? they just want the government to cough up some money for their stupidity. Grow alternative crops that's the solution.

[alant]

It doesn't look like Chiang Mai is effected.

 

[CGW]

14 hours ago, digger70 said:

Grow alternative crops that's the solution.

Kindly list the alternative crops that will grow in a rice field please, interested to know?

[CGW]

23 hours ago, Matzzon said:

I guess that´s one reason why they call it off season, but understanding the meaning of things is out of the question. When it comes to analysing something and see if it has a possibility to succeed before doing it, is an alien concept. After that comes the problem solving in minimizing the damage before it´s too late. They never heard about that either.

With the standard of education afforded the average "Farmer" do you expect a bunch of junior Einsteins to be running farms, they are not indoctrinated to be able to engage analytical thinking.

In my experience the "Farmers" in Thailand are people who have a small piece of land that has been in the family "forever, this is their only source of income, the family "farm" the land as their is no money to hire help!

IMO the "government" casts negativity on the "Farmers" to detract justified criticism being pointed at them! easier to blamer the "Farmers" (who they know would Never vote for them) than admit their lack of interest or investment in the infrastructure.

[zappalot]

Science developed new methods to plant rice using a lot less water. Whilst for example in Vietnam new methods are partly enforced by the government In Thailand any progress is widely refused. Som Nam Na

[robblok]

12 minutes ago, CGW said:

With the standard of education afforded the average "Farmer" do you expect a bunch of junior Einsteins to be running farms, they are not indoctrinated to be able to engage analytical thinking.

In my experience the "Farmers" in Thailand are people who have a small piece of land that has been in the family "forever, this is their only source of income, the family "farm" the land as their is no money to hire help!

IMO the "government" casts negativity on the "Farmers" to detract justified criticism being pointed at them! easier to blamer the "Farmers" (who they know would Never vote for them) than admit their lack of interest or investment in the infrastructure.

I don't think the government is unreasonable to ask them not to plant rice. I guess you love to blame the government. I prefer to blame the farmers for still planting rice (in some area's) when its off season. Its stupid and then they ask the government to bail them out. 

 

They are not einsteins but you need to at least be good at what you do or find something else. This is how it works with all things in life.

[CGW]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

I prefer to blame the farmers for still planting rice (in some area's) when its off season. Its stupid and then they ask the government to bail them out. 

Yes, noted you like to blame the farmers! do you believe everything they print in the "government" friendly BP? If you do, no discussion to be had.

You have stated before you are an accountant, run some numbers on yield, cost of land and profit these "Farmers" make.

 

5 minutes ago, robblok said:

They are not einsteins but you need to at least be good at what you do or find something else. This is how it works with all things in life.

Your in Thailand, preaching from your ivory tower - reality is a little different when you have a family to feed, no money, no education and have only ever eked out a living from the small piece of land that your family acquired before you were born as it was near useless for growing anything but rice once a year if the rains permitted.

Your living in a country where the peasants are still treated as peasants with no intention of change!

[robblok]

5 minutes ago, CGW said:

Yes, noted you like to blame the farmers! do you believe everything they print in the "government" friendly BP? If you do, no discussion to be had.

You have stated before you are an accountant, run some numbers on yield, cost of land and profit these "Farmers" make.

 

Your in Thailand, preaching from your ivory tower - reality is a little different when you have a family to feed, no money, no education and have only ever eked out a living from the small piece of land that your family acquired before you were born as it was near useless for growing anything but rice once a year if the rains permitted.

Your living in a country where the peasants are still treated as peasants with no intention of change!

Not an ivory tower mate that is what you like to tell yourself so you can excuse the failure of the farmers.

 

I believe that its stupid to plant extra rice in a drought especially if your told not to do so. If you don't see the logic of that then its hard to debate with you as you don't have much brainpower. 

 

Has nothing to do with believing the BP just logic. 

 

I still don't get it why farmers are different from people who fail in their job or their small company. When a farmer fails people start to get upset if the food seller makes wrong choices and loses money nobody complains as they see that as business risk. I never got that for me all business are equal as an accountant. 

 

I look at stuff different I guess as i seen many business fail and see them grow too. It all depends on the person who is managing it and of course the field they are in. But one can fail at something while an other doing the same does not fail. There is such a thing as own responsibility.

 

Maybe that is why i am different from you.. have you ever run a business ? I believe you can make and break your own business. I believe that people are responsible for their own actions. 

 

So if you have land and the rice does not grow.. find an other job. Food sellers change jobs, other people too. Why should farmers be different from other poor people ?  

[CGW]

Can you define what a "farmer" is in Thailand please, what is your perception?

 

[spidermike007]

Hopefully, this will lead to farmers choosing more productive, more profitable and more sensible crops than rice, or the hugely destructive and heinous crop of sugar. 

[CGW]

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Hopefully, this will lead to farmers choosing more productive, more profitable and more sensible crops than rice, or the hugely destructive and heinous crop of sugar.

Reality check! what crops can they plant? where will the money come from?

[spidermike007]

2 minutes ago, CGW said:

Reality check! what crops can they plant? where will the money come from?

Herbs, fruit trees, vegetables, melons, and countless other options, that are more profitable, less energy intensive, less destructive to the environment, and require far less water. Life often throws us a curve ball, and some are able to think on their feet, dance with the music, change, progress, and adapt. Others simply suffer, cry, moan and fall by the wayside, or go broke. 

[CGW]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Herbs, fruit trees, vegetables, melons, and countless other options, that are more profitable,

Unfortunately none of these will grow in a rice field as the soil is too poor & depleted, need a huge investment and lots of chemicals. Next? 

 

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Life often throws us a curve ball, and some are able to think on their feet, dance with the music, change, progress, and adapt

???? Never met many Isaan "farmers" have you? they have never been given the opportunity to think for themselves, why do you think Taksin was so popular in the NE, he was the first person in Bangkok that even acknowledged the NE and instead of taking money out, actually put some money back again!

& yes a lot went into his own pocket etc, etc..........

[spidermike007]

10 minutes ago, CGW said:

Unfortunately none of these will grow in a rice field as the soil is too poor & depleted, need a huge investment and lots of chemicals. Next? 

 

???? Never met many Isaan "farmers" have you? they have never been given the opportunity to think for themselves, why do you think Taksin was so popular in the NE, he was the first person in Bangkok that even acknowledged the NE and instead of taking money out, actually put some money back again!

& yes a lot went into his own pocket etc, etc..........

Creativity is a beautiful thing to witness:

 

The Mekong Delta and the south-eastern region plan to grow other crops on more than 126,300ha of low-yield rice fields this year as a means of adapting to climate change and improving farmers’ incomes. Farmers will rotate rice and other crops in the same fields or stop growing rice completely and grow only other crops. In the 2018 -19 winter-spring rice crop farmers switched to other crops on 32,840ha of rice fields in the southern region, including 30,990ha in the delta. They grew corn, peanut, soybean, sesame, vegetables, orange, grapefruit, mango, and dragon fruit.

 

https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/518294/southern-region-plans-to-grow-other-crops-on-low-yield-rice-fields.html

Edited January 14, 2020 by spidermike007

[CGW]

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The Mekong Delta and the south-eastern region plan to grow other crops on more than 126,300ha of low-yield rice fields this year as a means of adapting to climate change and improving farmers’ incomes.

Thats good news, but unfortunately most rice fields lack the money for investment and water, there are ~11,000,000 ha of rice fields in Thailand, some of it can be used for other crops for sure, but not much, what you reference is what, 3%?

A lot of the rice fields are rain fed lowlands, which means they naturally flood - obviously, to grow other crops that cannot spend anytime with roots submerged takes a lot of money to build up the lowland.

Edited January 14, 2020 by CGW

[digger70]

4 hours ago, CGW said:

Kindly list the alternative crops that will grow in a rice field please, interested to know?

Soya beans ,sorghum ,mille, corn/maize, climbing sneak beans, cucumbers, tomatoes chillies, carrots  asparagus, eggplant papaya + more that are all crops that need a lot less water than the rice.

[CGW]

5 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Soya beans ,sorghum ,mille, corn/maize, climbing sneak beans, cucumbers, tomatoes chillies, carrots  asparagus, eggplant papaya + more that are all crops that need a lot less water than the rice.

& they all need fertilisers to grow in a rice field and will die in the wet season, they also need water, which in lowland rice paddies is not available in the dry season.

[ericnoodeeka]

1 hour ago, CGW said:

& they all need fertilisers to grow in a rice field and will die in the wet season, they also need water, which in lowland rice paddies is not available in the dry season.

correct, but don't let the facts stand in the way of all the so called experts( you know who you are) blame everything on the farmers. you would soon cry like babies if your bkk supermarkets were empty of produce. then it would be , why do these lazy farmers don't work??? ohh the irony.

[CGW]

15 minutes ago, ericnoodeeka said:

blame everything on the farmers

Seems people are happy to jump on the "government" led anti Farmer tirade! The "government" has a valid reason for disliking the Farmers, not sure why so many on here agree with their sentiment, generally the consensus on TVF is negative towards what they state as fact, as they have proven to be so untrustworthy - to be polite!