Growing Cassava In Thailand

[Khonwan]

Thai Oil kills ethanol project

High cassava prices force rethink of plan

YUTHANA PRAIWAN

Thai Oil Plc, the country's largest oil-refining company, plans to delay its cassava-based ethanol investment plan on rising cassava prices, according to an executive.

As well, the ethanol surplus has yet to be tackled, said the source who declined to be named. "The company needs to keep an eye on the oversupply situation."

He added that export procedures were still unclear and the government's effort to promote ethanol appeared half-hearted as long as the Energy Ministry still insisted on keeping premium petrol available.

"Now the prices of cassava chips have risen to 12-13 baht a kilogramme while there is sufficient production of molasses, which is the other ethanol raw material. We need to study the return on investment once again to see whether it is viable," he said.

Thai Oil had planned to invest 5.1 billion baht in an ethanol plant with production capacity of 500,000 litres a day. It was expected to start operation in the middle of next year.

However, its other ethanol ventures will proceed according to plan.

The Mae Sot project, a joint venture with Padaeng Industry Plc and Petro Green Co, would have a production capacity of 100,000 litres a day when it opens late next year.

"The project can be carried out as the capacity is not high and the investors have clear investment plans," he said.

Bangkok Post, June 30

[Khonwan]

Thai tapioca prices JUNE 08

DOMESTIC MARKET PRICE AND TRADE (1 - 15 June 2008)

Situation of Root Price and Supply

· Northeast and Central Regions

- The tapioca roots price (starch content 22 - 23%) is quoted at 2.00 - 2.10 baht/kg.

- Few cassava roots entered the market because of the rain. The supply of cassava roots into the market at Korat expected around 12,000 - 14,000 tons/daily.

Remark: Starch content 30% at 2.20 - 2.30 baht/kg.

· East and West Region

- The tapioca roots price (starch content 20 - 22%) is quoted at 1.90 - 2.00 baht/kg.

- There are a few cassava roots in the market. The supply of tapioca chips into the market at Chonburi, Sriraja and Bangpakong expected around 2,000 tons / daily.

Remark: Starch content 30% at 2.10 - 2.25 baht/kg.

· Situation of Tapioca Starch

- Due to the rainy season, there is less tapioca roots available in the market as usual every year. The mills are unable to produce at their full capacity. On the other hands, some of them temporarily stop operation to overhaul machineries and equipment. The starch content of roots have been decreased resulted in weakening of root prices.

- Domestic starch price become weakening.

Situation of Price at Seaports

- Tapioca chips quoted at 5.10 - 5.60 baht/kg.

- Tapioca chips (premium grade) price is not available

- Tapioca hard pellets price is not available

- Tapioca starch quoted at 11.80 - 12.10 baht/kg.

Source: Dr. Will: http://vatjanapukka.spaces.live.com/blog/c...!1980.entry

[CADLoeiFarmer]

Hi Khonwan,

New pics from Saturday of our cassava near Loei. As usual - girlfriend wasn't happy with workers (brother) - she is motivated to get a good yield per rai and had to yell at a bit - ha ha ha. If she wasn't there - none of this would be possible - tip for the guys who think this can be done from abroad... (I am in Canada). So far so good. We just started in March. Next year will be better but at least we are started now.... I will read with interest the tips on how to get yields > 4 tons per rai etc...

[Issangeorge]

I just drove the starch plant just east of Kalasin, they had posted 2 baht per kilo, about 3 weeks ago they had posted 2.18 baht per kilo. Issangeorge

[CADLoeiFarmer]

Long term - Alternative fuels will become more important. Of course there will be volatility in the prices of all commodities... 2 bullets from an analyst...

The oil markets are a perfect illustration of Economics 101. In the absence of sufficient near-term incremental supplies, the price of the commodity has to go to a level that reduces demand and creates a buffer. The market is at that level now.

Supply trends are bullish for oil prices. There is only 2mnb/d of excess capacity in an 85mnb/d market. That supply (surplus) is in one country – Saudi Arabia. It is unlikely the world gets any new supplies until 2009. In addition, global oil production is depleting at 4mnb/d per year. That means the world needs to replace one-half of Saudi Arabia every year to maintain output.

[bergen]

Hi,

New member on this site. We are very surprised to read all this info.

We live in Nahkon Ratchasima (Korat) and are in the middele of making our preparations for a start growing 50 rai Cassava in Nahkon Sawan. About one month ago we followed a two day-training for a new way of natural fertilization and method which should give a harvesting of 20-30 tonne per rai. Of course we have become very enthusiastic but as far as we are informed there is almost no experience with this method. We know that this new method has a high risk of dying plants caused by too hot soil. In the meantime we have met a man from the Ubon area who has done about 900 rai (?) with results of 18-20 ton per rai in the last two years. Our new contact works with a different fertilization and method with no additional risk of dying plants. An agriculture program on TV described about it and also the Prime Minister spoke in his weekly talk on Sundaymorning about Government promotion for the use of natural fertilization.

First step is to straw chicken shit and fertiliser on the soi before using a 3-disc plough. After plough wait about one week to kill the weeds and than use a 7-disc plough. The sterns need to be cut from fresh cassava trees into pieces measuring approximately 40-50cm. Spacing is recommended to 100 cm in a diagonal. One month after planting removing the weeds and straw natural fertiliser around the sterns again. An other month later spray fertilizer and repeat this every ten days in the next 2 months. To keep the crop weed-free during the first 3 months is very important. Theo whole proces takes about 9-10 months.

We try now to make an appointment with the farmer in the Ubon area to learn more. We like to have contact with farmers who work in the same area in Nahkon Sawan or try to do in the same way.

I find this hard to believe .........and I'll be very interested in knowing where this "900 rai farmer" is located - so I can pay him a visit as well

[Khonwan]

B1.8bn budget for bioplastic industry

VICHAYA PITSUWAN

The cabinet yesterday approved a budget of 1.8 billion baht for a five-year development roadmap for the bioplastic industry.

The 2009-2014 plan will spend one billion baht to purchase bioplastic technology from overseas and on research and development. Another 475 million baht will be invested in building the bioplastic business.

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) will manage the budget allocated for the improvements, said Supachai Lorlowhakarn, the NIA's director.

The funds will be allocated yearly according to the expenditures planned by the government in each fiscal year.

According to the road map, the first projects will start this year by tapping the remaining budget allocated by the government for fiscal 2008.

''Our plastic industry is already competitive and is well recognised in the region. The road map will strengthen its competitiveness even further and in line with the global trend which is focusing on environmentally friendly technology,'' Dr Supachai said.

Currently, bioplastics have a market share of only 1% to the world's total plastic consumption, which stands at 200 million tonnes or 80 to 100 kilo grammes per person per year.

Plastic demand is growing by 5% a year while demand for bioplastics is expected to increase 30% annually thanks to growing market awareness of the problems of global warming and the need to boost environment protection.

He said the development of the bioplastic industry would add huge value to tapioca, of which Thailand is the world's third largest producer.

Only 30% of the plastic made from petrochemicals can be recycled while tapioca-made products are bio-degradable. In Thailand, over 2.2 million tonnes of plastic ends up in landfills yearly, raising the management cost which has become a main concern across the world, Dr Supachai said.

''Tapioca is commonly used for food and in ethanol production and the industry is valued at only 61 billion baht. If the produce is used to make bioplastic, its value would increase to 144.18 billion baht,'' said Dr Supachai.

Under the bioplastic development plan, the Agricultural Ministry will receive 100 million baht to improve tapioca yields to support the industry.

In addition, a total of 225 million baht will be allocated to set up a bioplastic standard governing body to ensure that the local bioplastic industry meets international standards.

Dr Supachai said at least five bioplastic manufacturers will be seen in the next five years as the private sector was very keen to invest in the new industry.

Bangkok Post, 23 July 2008

[Khonwan]

Govt. to develop Northeast as hub of energy crops

July 24th, 2008 - 2:11 pm ICT by Amrit Rashmisrisethi

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives launches a strategy to develop the Northeast as a hub of energy crops second to Brazil.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Theerachai Saenkaew (ธีระชัย แสนแก้ว) says the Northeast has a high potential to effectively produce energy crops such as sugar cane and cassava. The two crops produce key substances to ethanol production which can reduce the country’s import of oil.

However, Mr Theerachia says the ministry will not expand the plantations of the two energy crops but will increase the produce per rai to meet the demand of both consumption and ethanol production. He says further that the ministry has instructed the Department of Agriculture to promote the plantation of good sugar cane, cassava, and oil palm strains among farmers.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand

[importford]

Govt. to develop Northeast as hub of energy crops

July 24th, 2008 - 2:11 pm ICT by Amrit Rashmisrisethi

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives launches a strategy to develop the Northeast as a hub of energy crops second to Brazil.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Theerachai Saenkaew (ธีระชัย แสนแก้ว) says the Northeast has a high potential to effectively produce energy crops such as sugar cane and cassava. The two crops produce key substances to ethanol production which can reduce the country’s import of oil.

However, Mr Theerachia says the ministry will not expand the plantations of the two energy crops but will increase the produce per rai to meet the demand of both consumption and ethanol production. He says further that the ministry has instructed the Department of Agriculture to promote the plantation of good sugar cane, cassava, and oil palm strains among farmers.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

[Khonwan]

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

Hi importford

I have no experience with sugar cane myself but I have a Thai friend who grows around 1,000 rai of sugar cane nearby - he still uses manual labour; I have never seen this job mechanised. Maizefarmer has knowledge of this crop and is also an ag engineer so I would think he may have some ideas on this subject.

Rgds

Khonwan

[JR Texas]

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

Hi importford

I have no experience with sugar cane myself but I have a Thai friend who grows around 1,000 rai of sugar cane nearby - he still uses manual labour; I have never seen this job mechanised. Maizefarmer has knowledge of this crop and is also an ag engineer so I would think he may have some ideas on this subject.

Rgds

Khonwan

I am getting in on the end of this discussion.........if possible, could we have a short summary of the current economics of growing mansaparang/casava in Thailand: typical inputs cost per rai, typical kilo/rai return (read up to 30T but hard to believe), typical growing time frame (6 or 8 months?), best variety (along with name/code), current purchase price, best place to grow it in Thailand (we live near a mountainous nature preserve in Pong Nam Ron near Chantaburi (a bit cooler than normal). Thanks.

[ozzydom]

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

Hi importford

I have no experience with sugar cane myself but I have a Thai friend who grows around 1,000 rai of sugar cane nearby - he still uses manual labour; I have never seen this job mechanised. Maizefarmer has knowledge of this crop and is also an ag engineer so I would think he may have some ideas on this subject.

Rgds

Khonwan

I am getting in on the end of this discussion.........if possible, could we have a short summary of the current economics of growing mansaparang/casava in Thailand: typical inputs cost per rai, typical kilo/rai return (read up to 30T but hard to believe), typical growing time frame (6 or 8 months?), best variety (along with name/code), current purchase price, best place to grow it in Thailand (we live near a mountainous nature preserve in Pong Nam Ron near Chantaburi (a bit cooler than normal). Thanks.

If you start at page 1 of this pinned thread you will find the answers to all your questions, except for the growing time frame of 6-8 mnths ,which is about 50% of the minimum time required.

[importford]

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

Hi importford

I have no experience with sugar cane myself but I have a Thai friend who grows around 1,000 rai of sugar cane nearby - he still uses manual labour; I have never seen this job mechanised. Maizefarmer has knowledge of this crop and is also an ag engineer so I would think he may have some ideas on this subject.

Rgds

Khonwan

Thanks Khonwan,

by the way, my father in law just told me that they also want to built an automatic cassava planter.

he told me that an office of the National farming institute in Dhan Khun tod should have a prototype.

They also got it from Brazil.

The idea is based on an automatic leak planter.

It seems that they modified the machine and it works now as an automatic cassava planter.

Very interesting...

I will try to get some more info

[JR Texas]

khonwan,

My father in law has every year about 200-250 rai of Cassava.

He owns 500 rai but cultivates sugar canes also.

I know you are the cassava specialist,

but do you know if there are automatic sugar cane harvesters in Thailand.

Or is there info from the thai government available.

I found them via internet in Brasil,

but I need plans so that our machine supplier can make the machine.

We have every year more and more problems with workers and staff.

The labor is getting to hard, costs too high,...

automisation is necessary.

The same will come for the cassava:

we will need automatic harvests machines.

We are thinking already of modifying automatic potato harvesters from Europe....

But a solution has to be found because labor problems are getting bigger each year and more costly...

Hi importford

I have no experience with sugar cane myself but I have a Thai friend who grows around 1,000 rai of sugar cane nearby - he still uses manual labour; I have never seen this job mechanised. Maizefarmer has knowledge of this crop and is also an ag engineer so I would think he may have some ideas on this subject.

Rgds

Khonwan

I am getting in on the end of this discussion.........if possible, could we have a short summary of the current economics of growing mansaparang/casava in Thailand: typical inputs cost per rai, typical kilo/rai return (read up to 30T but hard to believe), typical growing time frame (6 or 8 months?), best variety (along with name/code), current purchase price, best place to grow it in Thailand (we live near a mountainous nature preserve in Pong Nam Ron near Chantaburi (a bit cooler than normal). Thanks.

If you start at page 1 of this pinned thread you will find the answers to all your questions, except for the growing time frame of 6-8 mnths ,which is about 50% of the minimum time required.

I would like input from farmers with experience growing mansaparang (cassava). Please confirm or correct the following statements. This should be of value to those who are contemplating growing mansaparang in Thailand:

1) If you plant variety CMR35-22-196, it is possible to produce 30,000 kg of product per rai in 6 months (best case scenario)

2) The current selling price range is about 2000-2200 baht per 1000 kg of product

3) Mansaparang needs good drainage, withstands a wide range of pH, prefers cool temperatures, does not like too much water (can cause root rot), and is bug resistant

4) To maximize yield, plant on elevated rows (promotes drainage), cut three rings around the base of your starter plants (promotes root growth), aggressively remove weeds during the first four months, fertilize every two months, and irrigate as necessary

5) There are several biofuel production facilities—that can process mansaparang and turn it into biofuel--currently under construction in Thailand. They are scheduled to be completed within the next year

6) There is a danger of overproduction which could cause the sale price to drop dramatically within the next year or two (something the govt. is concerned about)

[Khonwan]

...

Thanks Khonwan,

by the way, my father in law just told me that they also want to built an automatic cassava planter.

he told me that an office of the National farming institute in Dhan Khun tod should have a prototype.

They also got it from Brazil.

The idea is based on an automatic leak planter.

It seems that they modified the machine and it works now as an automatic cassava planter.

Very interesting...

I will try to get some more info

Very interesting indeed. Please keep us informed, importford.

Rgds

Khonwan

[Khonwan]

...

I would like input from farmers with experience growing mansaparang (cassava). Please confirm or correct the following statements. This should be of value to those who are contemplating growing mansaparang in Thailand:

1) If you plant variety CMR35-22-196, it is possible to produce 30,000 kg of product per rai in 6 months (best case scenario)

2) The current selling price range is about 2000-2200 baht per 1000 kg of product

3) Mansaparang needs good drainage, withstands a wide range of pH, prefers cool temperatures, does not like too much water (can cause root rot), and is bug resistant

4) To maximize yield, plant on elevated rows (promotes drainage), cut three rings around the base of your starter plants (promotes root growth), aggressively remove weeds during the first four months, fertilize every two months, and irrigate as necessary

5) There are several biofuel production facilities—that can process mansaparang and turn it into biofuel--currently under construction in Thailand. They are scheduled to be completed within the next year

6) There is a danger of overproduction which could cause the sale price to drop dramatically within the next year or two (something the govt. is concerned about)

Hi JR Texas

1) I find it hard enough believing that it is achievable outside a research station over 12 months never mind 6 months. Seeing is believing – I’ll wait to see first. CMR 35-22-196 is not the 30t/rai variety: Rayong Crops Research Center states the yield for this variety as 23.2t/ha (i.e. 3.712t/rai). CIAT claim 29.9t/ha (4.784t/rai) for CMR 35-22-196. I’m not sure what variety is claimed to yield 30t/rai (187.5t/ha!!).

2) Correct.

3) Good drainage required; prefers acidic soil; is not afflicted by many pests. I would not say it prefers cool temperatures. Nor would I say it does not like too much water (as in lots of heavy rain), but that the drainage must be good so that the plant is not water-logged, which would rot the tubers.

4) 3-ring cutting and irrigation not necessary (if planting during the rainy season) unless planting the 30t/rai variety (?) and pursuing that yield. Aggressive weed control and fertiliser required during first 3-4 months for normal varieties.

5) There are already some cassava ethanol factories with more due to open this year.

6) This is always a danger but the government’s support for a cassava bio-plastic industry should address this in my opinion. Cassava is/will-be used for starch in human foods, animal feedstuff, ethanol, bio-plastics; Thailand is the number 1 exporter of tapioca in the world. All of which bodes well for cassava farming in my opinion.

Rgds

Khonwan

[JR Texas]

...

I would like input from farmers with experience growing mansaparang (cassava). Please confirm or correct the following statements. This should be of value to those who are contemplating growing mansaparang in Thailand:

1) If you plant variety CMR35-22-196, it is possible to produce 30,000 kg of product per rai in 6 months (best case scenario)

2) The current selling price range is about 2000-2200 baht per 1000 kg of product

3) Mansaparang needs good drainage, withstands a wide range of pH, prefers cool temperatures, does not like too much water (can cause root rot), and is bug resistant

4) To maximize yield, plant on elevated rows (promotes drainage), cut three rings around the base of your starter plants (promotes root growth), aggressively remove weeds during the first four months, fertilize every two months, and irrigate as necessary

5) There are several biofuel production facilities—that can process mansaparang and turn it into biofuel--currently under construction in Thailand. They are scheduled to be completed within the next year

6) There is a danger of overproduction which could cause the sale price to drop dramatically within the next year or two (something the govt. is concerned about)

Hi JR Texas

1) I find it hard enough believing that it is achievable outside a research station over 12 months never mind 6 months. Seeing is believing – I’ll wait to see first. CMR 35-22-196 is not the 30t/rai variety: Rayong Crops Research Center states the yield for this variety as 23.2t/ha (i.e. 3.712t/rai). CIAT claim 29.9t/ha (4.784t/rai) for CMR 35-22-196. I’m not sure what variety is claimed to yield 30t/rai (187.5t/ha!!).

2) Correct.

3) Good drainage required; prefers acidic soil; is not afflicted by many pests. I would not say it prefers cool temperatures. Nor would I say it does not like too much water (as in lots of heavy rain), but that the drainage must be good so that the plant is not water-logged, which would rot the tubers.

4) 3-ring cutting and irrigation not necessary (if planting during the rainy season) unless planting the 30t/rai variety (?) and pursuing that yield. Aggressive weed control and fertiliser required during first 3-4 months for normal varieties.

5) There are already some cassava ethanol factories with more due to open this year.

6) This is always a danger but the government’s support for a cassava bio-plastic industry should address this in my opinion. Cassava is/will-be used for starch in human foods, animal feedstuff, ethanol, bio-plastics; Thailand is the number 1 exporter of tapioca in the world. All of which bodes well for cassava farming in my opinion.

Rgds

Khonwan

Thank you very much.

[Khonwan]

Welcome support for ethanol from the private sector. Further good news for cassava.

Khonwan

Short-cut to E85 promoted

NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG

With E85 fuel due to reach the local market in a few months, even motorists with non-compatible cars could have a chance to fill up with the new fuel at prices 15-20 baht cheaper than premium petrol, says a Brazilian inventor.

Instead of waiting in long queues at service stations to get compressed natural gas (CNG), car owners could easily convert their vehicles to use alcohol, gasoline or a mixture of both by installing the Flextek bio-fuel converter due to make its debut in Thailand early next year.

The owner of Flextek technology originally developed in Brazil says the converter is an interesting option for motorists who want to reduce fuel consumption and gain more flexibility in filling up their vehicles.

Brazil is the only country in the world where E100, a blend of 92% ethanol and 8% water, is available and all vehicles running on the streets use the alcohol-based fuel instead of gasoline.

Flextek is a flex-fuel conversion technology for cars that originally operated with gasoline. The converter enables the vehicle's fuel system to burn anything up to E100, said Frederico Griese, who invented the technology and established the company named Age Intelligent Technology In Brazil in 2003.

The converter kit fits all 3.5 million passenger cars running on the streets in Thailand. Consequently, motorists do not have to buy a new car when E85 is launched here, said Mr Griese.

More convenient is the fact that drivers can install the converter by themselves without needing any technical skills or engine alternations, he added. "Men or women can do it themselves in no more than 10 minutes and then it starts working immediately."

Age Intelligence has reached an agreement with Sea Horse Plc, a Thai seafood producer, for the latter to distribute Flextek converters in Thailand. Sea Horse is diversifying its business to alternative fuel with plans to open an ethanol plant.

Thailand is the first market in Asia where Age Intelligent has been making inroads since the company started looking abroad three years ago, said Mr Griese, citing the government's aggressive actions to promote alternative fuels.

"Thailand is the first in line, thanks to your government's strong will to enforce the use of alternative fuel," he said. "We are in line with Thailand's drive to switch to biofuels."

As E85 is expected to be priced 50-60% cheaper than gasoline, Mr Griese said Flextek technology "allows car owners to enjoy good savings".

At the same time, E85 is much cleaner, so it helps increase the lifespan of the vehicle's engine, he added..

Mr Griese said that to make the price more affordable here, Sea Horse was preparing to set up a local production line for Flextek converter kits. The production is expected to come onstream by early 2009.

The device, whose technology was patented, would be sent to PTT Plc to test and seek an approval from the Thailand Industrial Standard Institute before the launch in the Thai market.

Annual production of the kits is expected at 200,000 units in the first year, all of which would be for the local market only, with a goal to double to 400,000 units in the later stage, said Mr Griese.

He said Flextek converters were also expected to be marketed in China, the world's third largest producer of ethanol after Brazil and the US, and in India.

"But it would happen not so soon," he said. "If Thailand launches E85 successfully, other markets will follow."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/280708_Business...2008_biz003.php

[JR Texas]

Welcome support for ethanol from the private sector. Further good news for cassava.

Khonwan

Short-cut to E85 promoted

NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG

With E85 fuel due to reach the local market in a few months, even motorists with non-compatible cars could have a chance to fill up with the new fuel at prices 15-20 baht cheaper than premium petrol, says a Brazilian inventor.

Instead of waiting in long queues at service stations to get compressed natural gas (CNG), car owners could easily convert their vehicles to use alcohol, gasoline or a mixture of both by installing the Flextek bio-fuel converter due to make its debut in Thailand early next year.

The owner of Flextek technology originally developed in Brazil says the converter is an interesting option for motorists who want to reduce fuel consumption and gain more flexibility in filling up their vehicles.

Brazil is the only country in the world where E100, a blend of 92% ethanol and 8% water, is available and all vehicles running on the streets use the alcohol-based fuel instead of gasoline.

Flextek is a flex-fuel conversion technology for cars that originally operated with gasoline. The converter enables the vehicle's fuel system to burn anything up to E100, said Frederico Griese, who invented the technology and established the company named Age Intelligent Technology In Brazil in 2003.

The converter kit fits all 3.5 million passenger cars running on the streets in Thailand. Consequently, motorists do not have to buy a new car when E85 is launched here, said Mr Griese.

More convenient is the fact that drivers can install the converter by themselves without needing any technical skills or engine alternations, he added. "Men or women can do it themselves in no more than 10 minutes and then it starts working immediately."

Age Intelligence has reached an agreement with Sea Horse Plc, a Thai seafood producer, for the latter to distribute Flextek converters in Thailand. Sea Horse is diversifying its business to alternative fuel with plans to open an ethanol plant.

Thailand is the first market in Asia where Age Intelligent has been making inroads since the company started looking abroad three years ago, said Mr Griese, citing the government's aggressive actions to promote alternative fuels.

"Thailand is the first in line, thanks to your government's strong will to enforce the use of alternative fuel," he said. "We are in line with Thailand's drive to switch to biofuels."

As E85 is expected to be priced 50-60% cheaper than gasoline, Mr Griese said Flextek technology "allows car owners to enjoy good savings".

At the same time, E85 is much cleaner, so it helps increase the lifespan of the vehicle's engine, he added..

Mr Griese said that to make the price more affordable here, Sea Horse was preparing to set up a local production line for Flextek converter kits. The production is expected to come onstream by early 2009.

The device, whose technology was patented, would be sent to PTT Plc to test and seek an approval from the Thailand Industrial Standard Institute before the launch in the Thai market.

Annual production of the kits is expected at 200,000 units in the first year, all of which would be for the local market only, with a goal to double to 400,000 units in the later stage, said Mr Griese.

He said Flextek converters were also expected to be marketed in China, the world's third largest producer of ethanol after Brazil and the US, and in India.

"But it would happen not so soon," he said. "If Thailand launches E85 successfully, other markets will follow."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/280708_Business...2008_biz003.php

Here is a twist on this subject........assuming the market for mansaparang/casava will increase over the next 2-3 years, what do you think about starting a business that does nothing but grow seedlings for sale to farmers? I am guessing that the demand for seedlings is going to increase. If this is a good idea, what is the market price for seedlings now........no idea. Thanks.

[Khonwan]

Hi JR Texas

Seedlings are NEVER used in cassava farming, only for breeding purposes at research facilities. Read the opening post again to see how clones are used instead. As a rough guide, 1 rai of mature trees should provide sufficient material to plant 4 rai. Trees were selling in my area for 4-5,000 baht per rai cut (and that was just the tree stems).

With so much cassava already having been planted this year, I doubt if there will be a large market for trees next year.

I think most of the increase will come from improved yields rather than increased cultivation.

Rgds

Khonwan

PS No need to quote a long post in its entirety (if at all) when replying, especially if the reply is immediately after the post being quoted; takes longer to scroll down posts without any additional benefit.

[Foreigner]

picture trees 2 months ago planted, height > 2 mtr. , the weeds will not grow anymore because of the high trees. First 2-3 months focus on fast growing tree, after 3 months focus on roots.

picture roots after 6 months 12 kg

picture trees 9 months

picture 9 months same trees and roots (?)

stemps planted in rows, spacing 80-100cm

1 rai 2000 stemps

Expected 24 tonnes/rai average

[catwho]

Hi,

New member on this site. We are very surprised to read all this info.

We live in Nahkon Ratchasima (Korat) and are in the middele of making our preparations for a start growing 50 rai Cassava in Nahkon Sawan. About one month ago we followed a two day-training for a new way of natural fertilization and method which should give a harvesting of 20-30 tonne per rai. Of course we have become very enthusiastic but as far as we are informed there is almost no experience with this method. We know that this new method has a high risk of dying plants caused by too hot soil. In the meantime we have met a man from the Ubon area who has done about 900 rai (?) with results of 18-20 ton per rai in the last two years. Our new contact works with a different fertilization and method with no additional risk of dying plants. An agriculture program on TV described about it and also the Prime Minister spoke in his weekly talk on Sundaymorning about Government promotion for the use of natural fertilization.

First step is to straw chicken shit and fertiliser on the soi before using a 3-disc plough. After plough wait about one week to kill the weeds and than use a 7-disc plough. The sterns need to be cut from fresh cassava trees into pieces measuring approximately 40-50cm. Spacing is recommended to 100 cm in a diagonal. One month after planting removing the weeds and straw natural fertiliser around the sterns again. An other month later spray fertilizer and repeat this every ten days in the next 2 months. To keep the crop weed-free during the first 3 months is very important. Theo whole proces takes about 9-10 months.

We try now to make an appointment with the farmer in the Ubon area to learn more. We like to have contact with farmers who work in the same area in Nahkon Sawan or try to do in the same way.

Welcome Foreigner, and interesting,saw your last post and pics,Impressive,2 Qs from this post why take the straw away i thought it would help,and what type of liquid fertilizer is used?

when we go back to the land soon the mrs has someone in the area who will show her how to get 10 a rai,our land is 60 ks before korat so not too far away from u,i would be interested in what u have learnt or are learning.i like to time frame also.

cat

[billd766]

picture trees 2 months ago planted, height > 2 mtr. , the weeds will not grow anymore because of the high trees. First 2-3 months focus on fast growing tree, after 3 months focus on roots.

picture roots after 6 months 12 kg

picture trees 9 months

picture 9 months same trees and roots (?)

stemps planted in rows, spacing 80-100cm

1 rai 2000 stemps

Expected 24 tonnes/rai average

Hi Foreigner

I am up in the central region though in New Zealand at the moment. We have 10 rai at the moment with 4 rai that has been in about 18 months.

I am looking at buying another 40 rai in the next year and I would be very interested in getting results like yours.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

[somo]

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Planting season:

his crop can be planted anytime. For most varieties, artificial irrigation is only indicated if planted in the dry season. It is best to get the plant established before the major rains start to counter soil erosion: the developing roots help to anchor the plant and reduce soil erosion common on slopes; the emerging leaves help to reduce the impact of heavy rain around the vicinity of the plant, which otherwise hastens erosion. I normally plant 11-month crops April/May but intend to switch to 18-month crops with mungbean (ถั่วเขียว tùa kĭeow) rotation. I have grown the crop over 22 months (see attached photo of me with a 23kg example taken some 4/5 years ago) before but the first-line processors (who chip the tubers and sun dry them before selling them on) are starting to measure the starch content. 18 months is optimum for tuber weight and starch content (dry matter percentage). It is therefore likely that I’ll start to plant mungbean in March (it has a propagation to harvest timeframe of 95-105 days) and then plant cassava in June. The cassava shall then be harvested in December of the following year. I shall plant only half my land in this fashion during the first year, and the other half the following year (the other half during the first year will be planted in April for an 11-month crop).

I have planted 27 rai with cassava over the last 2 months. If things work out I intend to do a lot more next year.

I mentioned to the family and locals the idea of leaving it for 18 months before harvesting and the

unanimous reaction was that I was crazy. That may well be true but I do understand khonwans logic in

proposing it.

The argument the villagers gave was that it had been tried before and too much of the crop was lost due to the

cassava rotting in some cases and becoming too woody so that the buyers dropped the price or just weren't interested.

I showed them the pic of the huge tuber above and that got some interest but all said that it would be unsellable.

They too understood the argument about getting a lot more weight for little extra cost (other than time)

but insisted the risk meant 14 or maybe 15 months was the max. The problem with this time scale is that

every other year the land will lie unused for maybe 6 months as there is no rain which kind of defeats

the gains from a couple of extra months free weight increase.

I just wondered if anyone has actually completed an 18 month growth cycle and what the results were?

The economics of a 11/12 month cycle are very tight. Once labour and transport are taken into account

it will have cost me an estimated 7000 Baht/rai (includes having to cut and buy the stems the first year so 6000 next year) to plant,

fertilize and harvest so I will need 3.5 tons/rai just to break even (assuming a 2 Baht/kilo price). The extra weight from a few more months

growth could prove the difference between a profit or loss.

[Khonwan]

^

Hi somo

I’ve delayed responding to this because I like to give others a chance to see dissenting views first before the post gets lost in the thread.

The idea of growing cassava over 18 months is not my innovative idea based on wishful thinking. It has been done throughout Thailand by many farmers over many years, including by me twice several years ago, and again this current year. The many farmers in my village here, who have grown and are currently growing “two year” cassava would be very amused by the reaction of your family & neighbours. The only reason it is not done by other farmers around me is down to their cash-flow problems and need to repay debts annually.

The photo I posted wasn’t meant to be representative of an average 22-month tuber – it was an unusually large tuber. Mind you, the rest were indeed also pretty big, but they were 22-month tubers and not 18-month.

Beyond 18 months, the outer skin of the tuber starts to become too hard, making it more difficult to chop…but not before.

The risk of tuber rot is only present in land with poor drainage – it may well be, then, that this is unsuitable for you if your neighbours report this problem.

Your costs appear to be extremely high. My costs are as indicated on my spreadsheet. Do you personally control your costs? Too easy to do as Lickey once did, give fertiliser to a villager to apply to your land only to have it applied to that person’s own land instead. Same goes for Diesel fuel and herbicide. Even having to purchase tree stems shouldn’t have cost more than Bt1,000 per rai – and that is normally only a first year cost. Do you help your family? – don’t they provide free labour? Are you and your wife actively farming, reducing your labour costs and monitoring the labour?

There are ways to reduce to reduce labour costs. Instead of hiring a tractor driver and herbicide sprayers, allow trusted individuals to use your tractor and motorized sprayer for their land for free in return for operating these on your land for free…or do it yourself (not that difficult if you are fit).

But why believe me, or your family/neighbours? Experiment. Try it for yourself on part of your land, say 5 rai.

Rgds

Khonwan

[somo]

Hi Khonwan

Thanks for the info. – very encouraging. Far from dissenting I just needed the additional info you have given before going against the tide. I will be experimenting next year by leaving half the cassava for an additional 6 months. The villagers, in addition to cash flow problems, also have a real problem getting their heads around the idea that a system that leaves the land idle for 6 months can actually lead to higher profits. The only way is to just do it and show them the money 

I live in Bangkok with my wife and all her direct family work here too except for her mum who just loves working in the fields and watches every baht spent.. I keep detailed accounts – even down to the cost of the string to tie up the stems into bundles! Having said that the whole village seems related to each other and there are loads of half brothers/sisters nephews etc. On the odd occasion anyone has quoted an excessive price they get a mouthful from mum in law.

I decided if I was going to get involved in any farming it had to stack up as a self contained business. To get the full picture I cannot assume any free labour and in any case I don’t think there is any such thing. If I don’t pay now I will pay later one way or the other. I pay the going rate of 150 baht for a 9 hour day. Until a couple of months ago it was 130 baht. Doing it this way at least gives me true picture of the costs

As regards machinery my small enterprise doesn’t warrant buying a tractor so I have no option but to sub the work out but I get the going rate. The way I figure it if things work out I will do it on a larger scale and later maybe get my own but the economics of that is a separate issue.

I have listed all my expenses below together with estimates for the future ones involved in a one year cycle. This should be useful to those considering growing cassava for the first time but are not sure of all the costs involved. Any suggestions as to how I can cut costs (without first investing loads of money) would of course be most welcome.

The land I have is in 2 plots so the below is based on starting from scratch with 12 rai of land. Later, when I have more land, there will be economies of scale but I think it shows a reasonable picture of what it costs to start up on a small scale.

STEMS

BUYING STEMS 7000

We bought the stems from 3.5 rai of man for 7000 baht which was a bit expensive but in early June that seemed the going rate for the #72 variety

LABOUR TO CUT STEMS 780 (NOW WOULD BE 900)

This was at a daily rate of 130 Baht which has now gone up to 150

TUK TUK TRANSPORT 500

STRING TO TIE BUNDLES 120 

BOOZE FOR WORKERS 200

TOTAL FOR STEMS 8600 = 716/RAI

PLOUGHING 350/RAI (NOW IS 400/RAI)

TOTAL 2 LOTS PLOUGHING 8,400

Next year will be 4,800 as will need only 1 ploughing)

RT = 17,000

CHICKEN POO

20 BAGS AT 170 (now 220) 3,400

This poo is the dried concentrated form.

SPREADING POO 2 PEOPLE FOR 1 DAY = 300

TUK TUK TO BUY AND TRANSPORT POO 300

TOTAL POO COST 4000 = 333/RAI

RT = 21,000

PLANTING

FIXED PRICE OF 300/RAI

TOTAL PLANTING 3,600

RT = 24,600

WEEDKILLING

COST OF CHEMICALS 1800

LABOUR FOR 12 RAI 3,450

(sprayers get 250 Baht/day as it is considered dangerous work)

TUK TUK FOR WATER 400 (200/DAY)

BOOZE 200

TOTAL TO SPRAY 12 RAI 5850 ( 488/RAI)

RT = 30,450 (2,538/RAI)

Above is what I have spent so far. Below are estimates of what will be spent.

ESTIMATE OF FURTHER COSTS.

SECOND WEEDING – 488/rai = 5856

CHEMICAL FERTILIZER 50Kg/RAI AT 1300/BAG = 15.600

SPREADING FERTILIZER 75/rai = 900

CUTTING STEMS PRiOR TO HARVESTING 300/rai = 3,600

TRACTOR TO UNEARTH MAN 400/rai = 4,800

HARVESTING AT SAY 5 TONS/RAI (150BAHT/TON) 9,000

TUK TUK TRANSPORT TO WHOLESALER 150B/TON 9.000

TOTAL FURTHER COSTS 48,756

TOTAL OUTLAY 79,206 = 6,600/rai/year

It is impossible to think of everything so I have allowed an extra 400 Baht/rai for the unexpected bringing it up to 7,000 Baht/rai. I have already had an unexpected expense with some bindweed on the other plot of land.

Note: The above includes 1 application of fertilizer but an initial dose of chicken poo. A 2nd would add a further 1350/rai to the cost bringing it to 7950/rai in total. (I will apply to the 18 month crop)

NB. Next year will save 8,600 on stems and 3,600 on ploughing ie about 1000Baht/rai bringing it down to around 6,000/rai/year

[anthoma]

I understand that the best time to put the cassava is in early rainy season. So if you put the stems in may/june and harvest after 18 months you will be harvesting in december next year.

Then you have to keep the stems from harvesting in desember to new planting in may/june. Thats 6 months???? I understand that the stems should not be over 3 months and the best is that they are not older then one month. What do you do about that?

[Khonwan]

Somo, I'll come back to you on some of your figures when I have time - probably tomorrow.

Anthoma, your problem has already been addressed by me in my opening post:

"One problem using this cycle presents itself: if you harvest in December you cannot use the stems six months later (they have a useful life of up to 3 months). This can be resolved by cutting the required stems in June from the other half of your land, which should now be 12 months old. The plant has another 6 months to recover from this – it has very little effect on the yield. You may be able to sell the December stems."

See my OP for more on this.

Somo, the field shouldn't be left fallow for six months. See my OP again on planting another crop during this period, such as mungbean; could also plant maize (corn).

Rgds

Khonwan

[JR Texas]

Somo, I'll come back to you on some of your figures when I have time - probably tomorrow.

Anthoma, your problem has already been addressed by me in my opening post:

"One problem using this cycle presents itself: if you harvest in December you cannot use the stems six months later (they have a useful life of up to 3 months). This can be resolved by cutting the required stems in June from the other half of your land, which should now be 12 months old. The plant has another 6 months to recover from this – it has very little effect on the yield. You may be able to sell the December stems."

See my OP for more on this.

Somo, the field shouldn't be left fallow for six months. See my OP again on planting another crop during this period, such as mungbean; could also plant maize (corn).

Rgds

Khonwan

Hi.......as an aside......I just took a trip to Cambodia and saw no mansaparang/casava growing anywhere.......crossed the Thai border and saw it growing all over from Trat to Chantaburi to Rayong to Pattaya to Bangkok and all the way north to Petchaboon. Question: Are the experts here certain that the market can withstand such a huge load of product? I am worried about supply exceeding demand. Any input would be appreciated as we are considering planting 120 rai in the near future. Thanks.

[Khonwan]

Hi.......as an aside......I just took a trip to Cambodia and saw no mansaparang/casava growing anywhere.......crossed the Thai border and saw it growing all over from Trat to Chantaburi to Rayong to Pattaya to Bangkok and all the way north to Petchaboon. Question: Are the experts here certain that the market can withstand such a huge load of product? I am worried about supply exceeding demand. Any input would be appreciated as we are considering planting 120 rai in the near future. Thanks.

Well I’m just a farmer with no other knowledge of the markets other than the press-articles I’ve been posting here so, no, I cannot be certain.

But I feel confident that since Thailand is the existing biggest exporter of tapioca and tapioca products and that the government is supporting bio-ethanol and bio-plastic production (both using tapioca), the price of fresh cassava will not fall below Bt2,000/t and is likely to achieve at least Bt2,500/t this year. But that is merely my opinion, for what it is worth.

Nothing in farming is guaranteed. There have been a great many “golden crops” in the recent past that have encouraged farmers here to invest only for them to find, usually several years down the line at maturity of their crops, that over production or other market factors has destroyed the value of their crop. Lamyais was one such crop. Rubber trees could be another – who knows at this time? But cassava is a short-term crop (8-18 months). You don’t need to have a long-term investment strategy with it…unless you are contemplating buying (more) land on the basis of cassava prices holding up for several years. If you are juggling with that, I wouldn’t like to comment too much.

Personally, I’m still keen to purchase another 100 rai or so (close to me) to plant more cassava. I am confident in this market. But then again, I was confident (and capable) in the pig farming market – then the floor dropped with prices falling to values not seen in 16 years or so.

I would certainly never advise anyone to go into farming as an investment. There are far less risky ways to make more money. I like the lifestyle. I love ‘owning’ and working land. Having purchased land for these reasons, I’m faced with the decision as to what to do with it to provide me with an acceptable (and positive!) return with (low) risk factors that I’m comfortable with. Cassava currently fits the bill for me. I believe it will continue to fit the bill over the next few years, at least. It is less risky than any other crop (including livestock) I can think of in terms of pest and impact of weather. The price of cassava was very unstable in the past (throughout most of the time I’ve grown it) but these new uses of the product have raised its value – I can’t see that changing.

Labour availability is the greatest threat to cassava farming in my opinion. Mechanisation of planting & harvesting of this crop is still in its infancy and currently less efficient than manual labour. The ever increasing shortage of willing labour and the rising costs of that labour will, of course, accelerate mechanical solutions – just as these factors did for other crops in the West.

Rgds

Khonwan

PS Your post was not a reply to the previous post, yet that post was quoted. I think I understand why. Rather than clicking on the “reply” tab after a post, click on the “add reply” tab slightly below the last post.