Thailand's Rice Yields Lag Behind Asian Counterparts

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand, a well-known player in the global rice market, faces challenges as its average rice yields fall short compared to other major rice-producing nations. Anon Nonsee, the deputy director-general of the Department of Rice, revealed that the country's yield per rai (0.16 hectares) is only about 400-500 kilograms. In stark contrast, countries like Vietnam and China achieve yields ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 kilograms per rai.

 

These figures highlight a significant yield gap, attributable partly to the popularity of jasmine rice. Renowned for its aroma and soft texture, jasmine rice thrives under Thailand's drier conditions, particularly in the Northeast and North. However, its unique qualities come with yields of just 350-400 kilograms per rai, influencing Thailand’s overall average.

 

Addressing this challenge, the Department of Rice is pursuing innovative strategies. There's a newfound emphasis on promoting coloured rice varieties, which align with growing market demands for specialty grains. Currently, these account for just 5-10% of total production, yet offer an intriguing niche with high market value.

 

Anon explains, "Varieties like coloured rice and indigenous strains cater to niche consumers. These can be marketed similarly to luxury products—rare, valuable, and appealing to high-end markets."

Interestingly, the popularity of coloured rice is rising, particularly among Chinese consumers, due to perceived health benefits. This growing interest dovetails with efforts from the Department of Rice to collaborate with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to increase exposure and entice tourists to try these unique grains during their stay.

 

In an ambitious move, the Department plans to cultivate 'rainbow rice' in 2024, featuring varieties in vibrant hues like deep purple, light purple, and green. In a nod to tourism, rice fields in Chiang Rai and Phayao will take artistic shapes—such as a cat and a dinosaur—enhancing their appeal as tourist destinations.

 

Beyond aesthetics, these rice varieties offer considerable economic benefits. Some have high protein content, making the leaves valuable for health foods and plant-based products. This has triggered interest from markets in China and Japan, with potential earnings of up to 100,000 baht per kilogram for hydrolysed protein.

 

In addition, the Department advocates for transformative farming practices, encouraging farmers to grow high-protein coloured rice for animal feed. This approach, piloted in Mukdahan province, promises multiple harvests annually, potentially offering more lucrative returns than traditional rice farming.

 

Through these innovative strategies, the Department of Rice aims to lift farmers out of low-income blocks, promoting diversified income streams and paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices in Thailand's rice sector, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2024-12-09

 

 

[ikke1959]

Result of never changing anything.. No improvements are made, nothing ever changes in Thailand as it has to preserve their culture

[Emdog]

".. jasmine rice thrives under Thailand's drier conditions, particularly in the Northeast and North. However, its unique qualities come with yields of just 350-400 kilograms per rai,..."

So they want to replace quality with quantity

And colored rice perceived luxury item. Here's a hint trendy money bags: your tongue doesn't taste colors.

Seems bad rice, like money, drives out good

[DGS1244]

If they stopped selling Paddy Fields to house builders then they would at least keep the amount of land available for growing it. Less land less rice.

[Richardsamui]

It is still grown as 50 years ago.

Ploughing the land, throw in loads of rice and wait for it to grow. 

Instead of sowing and replant in orderly rows for getting bigger quantity.

 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand, a well-known player in the global rice market, faces challenges as its average rice yields fall short compared to other major rice-producing nations.

Who now use machines to plant and harvest...

[Burma Bill]

31 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Who now use machines to plant and harvest...

 Personally, I have never seen a Thai rice planting machine but a Thai rice combine harvester - "yes" on many ocassions in rural khon Kaen Province:-

 

 

A rice planting machine (which I have never seen)

 

[Bill97]

Not new

 

Thai yields have been low for decades

 

Others willing to work harder

[Muhendis]

3 hours ago, DGS1244 said:

If they stopped selling Paddy Fields to house builders then they would at least keep the amount of land available for growing it. Less land less rice.

Yup. They (the farmers?) do sometimes sell to house builders but more likely the farmers will change to growing sugar cane which is worth more to them.

Looking at the figures above of 500kg/rai lets say a farmer has 24 rai. he would get about 16 Baht/kg from the local mill for his years effort so with 24 rai that would be 192,000 Baht less harvesting costs of 600 baht/rai (14,400 baht) less fertilizer cost of say 3,000 baht less other incidental costs say 1,000 baht total value to the farmer would be 192,000 - 18,400 = 173,600 baht. That is his years income. It also assumes top money from the mill at 16 baht/kg. Quite often this is a lot less at anything down to 12 baht/kg.

Growing more exotic varieties will not necessarily make more money for the farmer and the local mill may very well refuse to have anything to do with anything other than Hom Mali (jasmine) rice.

[Andycoops]

Unfortunately the other countries have ploughed money into rice research and development while the smug Thais sit there with their know it all attitude and we've always done it this way mantra.

 

Now paying the price.

[Yagoda]

19 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Who now use machines to plant and harvest...

Or have slaves to their Socialist ideology.

 

Wonder how much rice in China is planted by prisoners.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Or have slaves to their Socialist ideology.

 

Wonder how much rice in China is planted by prisoners.

China has an abundance of labour, possibly prison labour Thailand does not.

Thailands ageing rice growers/farmers are becoming old and the young generation don't want the same life of hard labour and no money.. seeing how their parents got screwed by the system and were too uneducated to make alternative.

choices.

Gen Z wll not toil in the fields.