As Thai rice falls in global pecking order, ministry mulls ways for turnaround

[rooster59]

As Thai rice falls in global pecking order, ministry mulls ways for turnaround

By The Nation

 

 

Thai authorities are brainstorming ways to develop the potential of Thai rice in every dimension after Thailand’s inability to be the top rice exporter for three years and Thai Hom Mali’s failure to win the World’s Best Rice contest.

 

 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Prapat Potasuthon said on Saturday (February ???? that a meeting with the Rice Department, Department of Foreign Trade, Thai Rice Exporters Association and entrepreneur representatives aimed to discuss rice development plans to increase competitiveness and meet market demand.

 

“The government is giving importance to rice and farmers since rice is an economic crop which plays an important role in food sustainability, while farming is a valuable occupation of the country,” he said.

 

“Thai rice is facing a higher level of global competition because many countries that used to import rice from Thailand are now able to grow and export rice, as a result we are facing more competition. In addition, the selling price of Thai rice is higher than that of other countries.”

 

 

He said Thailand still had existing customers in many countries since Thai rice was known for its quality.

 

“Each country prefers different varieties of rice. For example, countries in Africa like hard rice, while countries in Asia like soft rice. The important factor for many countries in importing rice is the price, followed by rice quality,” he said.

 

“Therefore, it is a challenge for all related sectors to set guidelines for rice production development to increase competitiveness by increasing productivity per area, developing rice varieties to meet the market demand, focusing on maintaining rice quality, reducing production costs and increasing the export capability of Thai rice."

 

He added that the ministry could not evaluate the impact of the current drought, but he urged people to use water conservatively because the water levels this year were low.

"All authorities must make it clear to farmers to delay the planting period until the rainy season which the Thai Meteorological Department has predicted would be delayed until July," he added.

 

 

Meanwhile, the prime minister is addressing his concern for farmers during these four months by offering extra jobs, allowing the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to grant a Bt50-billion loan with a low interest of Bt100 per million.

 

The government is also encouraging farmers to grow plants that use less water, raise animals and do fishing to generate income during the drought season. Moreover, the prime minister has allocated a Bt2-billion budget to drill artesian wells in areas that face water shortage.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30381831

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-02-09

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[bangkokfrog]

59 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Moreover, the prime minister has allocated a Bt2-billion budget to drill artesian wells in areas that face water shortage.

You can see hundreds of these around my wife's village in Sisaket Province. Although they may benefit in some areas, most of these are bone dry. However, some people surely made a lot of money drilling them. I'm feeling tired... what's 30% of 2 billion baht?

Edited February 9, 2020 by bangkokfrog

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Meanwhile, the prime minister is addressing his concern for farmers during these four months by offering extra jobs

Are they ones currently done by generals ? Or are they just emptying his basket ?

[legend49]

Thailand refuses to change on anything; this time its the type of rice. While India, Vietnam etc have developed new varieties of rice that buyers want to buy the Muppets here wheel out the same old stuff at inflated prices.

[Dustdevil]

Personally, I like good old Louisiana long-grain rice. Goes great with "Pontchartraine" sauce and lots and lots of seared scallops together with crayfish, with a side of creamed spinach. (And you thought we just eat burgers.) And I'm from Connecticut! Screw Thai rice if the health minister calls me racist names and screw Thailand. I used to like Chiang Mai but soon nobody will speak anything but Mandarin, and choke on Beijing-like air. 

Edited February 9, 2020 by Dustdevil

[Creasy]

I haven't seen that colour jacket before on a crooked minister. It really goes well with his toupee 

[BobbyL]

I wouldn't trust them to be able to turn it around. Unfortunately, key Thai exports such as this are declining year on year. This is invariably what happens in any walk of life when you have people in power who have no credentials to do the jobs they're tasked with.

 

A military bootlicker at the helm, an agricultural minister with fake qualifications / convicted criminal still in his job, a health minister with no background in health. The list is probably endless if everything about these people were exposed. 

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

raise animals and do fishing to generate income during the drought season.

Good idea, raise camels & check the empty ponds, rivers & reservoirs for fish 

[trainman34014]

'Brainstorming' ; before that's possible the Prats need to grow brains first !

[spiekerjozef]

incompetant

[Burma Bill]

Quote:-

Thai Hom Mali’s failure to win the World’s Best Rice contest.

And the winner for 2019 is (quote):-

"Vietnam s ST24 rice has been named as the winner of the World's Best Rice 2019 award due to its outstanding qualities and delicious taste. Organised by the Rice Trader, the 11th Annual World's Best Rice Contest took place in Manila, the Philippines, on November 12.Nov 13, 2019"

Probably much cheaper as well!

[PETERTHEEATER]

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

For example, countries in Africa like hard rice.....

Just sell them Thai rice and tell them not to cook it before eating. Voila! Top sales award assured.

[trainman34014]

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Quote:-

Thai Hom Mali’s failure to win the World’s Best Rice contest.

And the winner for 2019 is (quote):-

"Vietnam s ST24 rice has been named as the winner of the World's Best Rice 2019 award due to its outstanding qualities and delicious taste. Organised by the Rice Trader, the 11th Annual World's Best Rice Contest took place in Manila, the Philippines, on November 12.Nov 13, 2019"

Probably much cheaper as well!

And not a word about this in the Thai Press of course !

[Cake Monster]

5 hours ago, legend49 said:

Thailand refuses to change on anything; this time its the type of rice. While India, Vietnam etc have developed new varieties of rice that buyers want to buy the Muppets here wheel out the same old stuff at inflated prices.

And I read a couple of Years ago, that the Rice grown in Thailand was being grown in totally unsuitable soil.

Do they not have any clue about diversifying the crops they grow ?

Why  not try to grow Onions or Potatoes or some other kinds of crops to bring more added value to the land they Farm.

But no, its the same old Rice, Pineapples, Cassava, Corn. All of which reaches a Market that is flooded, and receives low prices

[puipuitom]

17 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

And I read a couple of Years ago, that the Rice grown in Thailand was being grown in totally unsuitable soil.

Do they not have any clue about diversifying the crops they grow ?

Why  not try to grow Onions or Potatoes or some other kinds of crops to bring more added value to the land they Farm.

But no, its the same old Rice, Pineapples, Cassava, Corn. All of which reaches a Market that is flooded, and receives low prices

I am now doing business with Thais since 1977 and always it is the same: "Me Too"-products. Never an innovation from themselves, always: copy, copy and copy. Zero own initiative. 

[billd766]

2 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

And I read a couple of Years ago, that the Rice grown in Thailand was being grown in totally unsuitable soil.

Do they not have any clue about diversifying the crops they grow ?

Why  not try to grow Onions or Potatoes or some other kinds of crops to bring more added value to the land they Farm.

But no, its the same old Rice, Pineapples, Cassava, Corn. All of which reaches a Market that is flooded, and receives low prices

Mostly it depends on the soil and water.

 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301742694_Potato_Production_in_Thailand

 

Whilst it is possible to grow potatoes in Thailand they are mostly grown in northern Thailand.

 

As for onions 

 

https://www.asiafarming.com/onion-farming-information

 

 

Soil Requirements for Onion Farming:-  Onion can be grown on wide range of soils. However, red loam to black soils and sandy loam to silly loam with good drainage facilities and deep friable is highly preferred for onion cultivation. The soil pH of 5.5 – 6.5 with mild season is preferred for better yield. Adding organic matter while preparing the land will boost the production of onion bulbs.

 

 

[Scot123]

So things went to pot when the tanks rolled in. The rice pledging scheme which was fundamentaly a good policy which had one problem "Thai's running it who could not help themselves thieving. A nut job telling farmers not to plant crops again due to government wasting money on toys for the boys instead of working with experts in resolving the water distribution collection problems the country has. Fact there is plenty of water in Thailand just not managed. Areas flood and areas dry. 

[emptypockets]

The clue to boosting the farm income is in the headline. Mull as in mull up.

Aussies will know what I mean.

[rickudon]

4 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

And I read a couple of Years ago, that the Rice grown in Thailand was being grown in totally unsuitable soil.

Do they not have any clue about diversifying the crops they grow ?

Why  not try to grow Onions or Potatoes or some other kinds of crops to bring more added value to the land they Farm.

But no, its the same old Rice, Pineapples, Cassava, Corn. All of which reaches a Market that is flooded, and receives low prices

Well, onions and potatoes do not grow well in Thailand, wrong climate. Maybe in the North in the higher areas, but i cannot grow them in Isaan. Same with many other crops i have tried. The only ones with some reasonable success were Okra and carrots (can only grow carrots in winter season and a bit slow, time for one crop only). Practically everything else has either failed or just not economic. M-in-L plants the same old chinese cabbages and kale every time, and gets a crop each time and in one month!

[Gweiloman]

I’m waiting for spidermike to wade in, sorry, bulldoze in with his usual comments about Prayut and co. I just hope he won’t bring up the issue of tax on wine. 

[inThailand]

Just slap on a 100% Organic sticker and raise the price without doing anything.

Oh, they are already doing that?

[Dustdevil]

On 2/8/2020 at 10:21 PM, Creasy said:

I haven't seen that colour jacket before on a crooked minister. It really goes well with his toupee 

Teal is my favorite color. I use it for my comforter and throw blanket, though, not a tunic.