BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has urged farmers to cultivate only one rice crop this season due to anticipated below-average rainfall caused by the El Ni?o weather pattern.

 

ONWR Secretary-General Surasee Kittimonthon revealed that the rainy season, typically commencing in the third week of May, would experience a delayed start this year, with intermittent rain expected in June. He added that the ONWR has devised a water management plan for the country’s dams to ensure water preservation. The success of the plan depends on close collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly farmers, in conserving water resources.

 

Surasee emphasized that water would be provided to farmers during the first rice crop in the upcoming rainy season. However, he urged farmers to cooperate by growing alternative crops that require less water for the second and third crops, in order to mitigate water scarcity.

 

The ONWR held discussions on May 11 regarding water management for the upcoming rainy season with several agencies, including the Royal Irrigation Department, the Meteorological Department, the Department of Water Resources, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

 

Due to the El Ni?o phenomenon, Surasee stated that rainfall would be approximately 5% below the average. However, he noted that heavy rainfall was anticipated from August to September, covering 60-80% of the country. He further predicted the occurrence of at least two tropical storms between August and September, which could replenish water levels in certain dams.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230512124327941

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-05-12

 

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Here we go again, brace for widespread floods throughout the year ????

They've been saying this for some years now. Will they compensate the rice farmers who can grow two crops a year? No. Will rice farmers who can grow two crops a year grow two crops a year? Yes.

I always wanted to have the brain of a rocket scientist. I think I've finally got there.

Same, same.  Plant rice, hope for the best.

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has urged farmers to cultivate only one rice crop this season due to anticipated below-average rainfall caused by the El Ni?o weather pattern.

I shudder at the thought of it.

One crop,how are the poor farmers supposed to live.

The rainy season has already kicked in.

So now what....?

Seems like just a demand from those in charge to know their place and stay poor to me

Just as it's been hissing down all morning in our village. Brilliant timing!

 

Anyway, what's this all about. Last year the Ubonrat dam was at the highest level I've seen it since 2011, Shouldn't be any problem for this year at least. 

So power generation could get in problems, therefor no more rice growing, PAY farmers then as compensation.

Now again they try to interact on weather, however weather became in predictable, due to climate change.

I wonder if Thailand has interactions and new programs working, teaching farmers.

Once red a story, project of university in "my"country, about reducing water for rice and having 10% more crops!

That would be worthwhile to introduce.? 

Good luck with that. They'll plant as much as they can and then complain when it doesn't work out, demanding that the government bail them out, as usual.

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I shudder at the thought of it.

One crop,how are the poor farmers supposed to live.

The ONWR officials don't care and neither does the current caretaker government. They get paid irrespective of rain or no rain, floods or drought.

Thailand is a net exporter of rice.  Be careful what you wish for, ONWR.  My Thai wife is a rice farmer/manager—you don’t want to get on her short side…

On 5/12/2023 at 6:23 PM, snoop1130 said:

 

Surasee emphasized that water would be provided to farmers during the first rice crop in the upcoming rainy season. However, he urged farmers to cooperate by growing alternative crops that require less water for the second and third crops, in order to mitigate water scarcity

Yet another politician who does not know farming, rice fields are not switch's that can be switched on and off ,a rice field is designed to keep water in ,your farmer harvests his first crop ,he is told very little rain grow something else ,so he put in corn or soya, then then over say a week you get a lot of rain ,your rice field keeps the water ,your corn or soya gets waterlogged  and it will die for certain .

I know rice fields can be drained but not all, if you are in the middle of a block of rice fields the water has nowhere to go, your neighbour will not want it .

What he should have said grow a crop now, like sesame seed, planting to harvest 90-100 days when they is not enough rain for rice, but enough for another crop, then when the rains do come grow your rice crop. 

But that is logical thinking ...........