The annual rice harvest has proven to be a golden opportunity for the Thai community in Nakhon Phanom in northeastern Thailand. This is especially true for a group of people who are making a substantial income by producing and selling traditional sticky rice known as Khao Mao. This business generates several million baht every year.

 

One such group is led by Sunat, who lives in Ban Phorong in the Fung Daeng district of Nakhon Phanom. Using traditional knowledge and methods, they transform harvested rice into Khao Mao during the rice harvest season.

 

The finished product can sell for 120-150 baht per kilogramme, generating more than 1 million baht a month. This has encouraged local farmers to switch to growing and processing Khao Mao, thus adding value to their crops and creating a full cycle of income and employment opportunities.

 

The rice used to make Khao Mao is typically sticky rice varieties KD10 and KD12, which take about three to four months to grow and sell for around 15-20 baht per kilogramme before processing.

 

The processed rice is then packaged in vacuum-sealed packs and sold online across the country and abroad. It can be stored for a long time, eaten fresh, or used to make a variety of sweet dishes.

 

By Samantha Rose

Caption: Photo courtesy of Jimmy Donovan

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-09

 

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Now what all the rice farmers switch to growing and processing Khao Mao then complain when the price plummets.

15 hours ago, Cardano said:

Now what all the rice farmers switch to growing and processing Khao Mao then complain when the price plummets.

Same will happen with durian in about 5yrs, all rubber trees around me cut down and durian planted. 

The chain saws are at it again today, crash their goes another one, BANG and another one as I type. 

Supply and demand. I recall from when I w9rked in the Middle East visiting a large produce market. One section was devoted to around twenty water melon stalls all selling large heavy long melons except one seller who had large globe shaped melons selling like hot cakes. The other traders looked on in envy.

The following year I went again and there was a preponderence of globe melons with only one selling long melons and crowded with buyers.......????