Food Institute Chief Sees Need To Restructure Farm Sector

[george]

Food Institute chief sees need to restructure farm sector

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should restructure its agricultural sector for the overall improvement of production in preparation for an expected heightening of the global food crisis, according to the food industry executive.

Food Institute director Yutthasak Supasorn said the severity of the food crisis was predicted by scientists and economists, who based their calculations on various factors, but on energy prices in particular.

They believed food prices would increase 20-50 times in the next decade.

He said Thailand, unlike many other countries, might not be adversely affected by the crisis because it is a major food producing country

However, the country must restructure its agricultural sector, invest in its production bases to give easier access to the farm sector, and improve the value-added of raw materials used for food production.

Mr. Yutthasak said he believed Thailand would not be affected by the world food price crisis during the next three to five years.

Still, food prices in the country might increase by three to five times in the next decade.

-- TNA 2008-06-25

[Seneque]

They believed food prices would increase 20-50 times in the next decade.

Food prices in the country might increase by three to five times in the next decade.

So is it 5 - 20 or 50 times ? ... i can see a trend there ...

[plachon]

Food Institute chief sees need to restructure farm sector

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should restructure its agricultural sector for the overall improvement of production in preparation for an expected heightening of the global food crisis, according to the food industry executive.

Food Institute director Yutthasak Supasorn said the severity of the food crisis was predicted by scientists and economists, who based their calculations on various factors, but on energy prices in particular.

They believed food prices would increase 20-50 times in the next decade.

He said Thailand, unlike many other countries, might not be adversely affected by the crisis because it is a major food producing country

However, the country must restructure its agricultural sector, invest in its production bases to give easier access to the farm sector, and improve the value-added of raw materials used for food production.

Mr. Yutthasak said he believed Thailand would not be affected by the world food price crisis during the next three to five years.

Still, food prices in the country might increase by three to five times in the next decade.

-- TNA 2008-06-25

I suspect calls for "restructuring the farm sector" are thinly veiled code for destroying the small farm sector and replacing it with the agribusiness model. People like Mr Yutthasak can play loose and fast with stats, as they are working for a particular interest group with a target to shift the rural poor from their land. Of course, if food prices did increase "20-50 times in the next decade" there would be mass starvation and insurrection across the world, but that's beside the point. Even a doubling in basic food staple's cost in the next year could create great instability.

[Martin]

'plachon', in post #3, appears to have hit the nail on the head.

The website of the National Food Institute in Bangkok states openly that it its function is to promote the "food processing industry' in 'worldwide markets'.

Using the onset of the 'tipping point' to try to consolidate capital-city power over the vast hinterland is a very shortsighted tactic. It heightens the risk of great conflict at the very time when the need is for recognition that 'we are all in the one, same boat; and need to be very careful to not to end up quarrelling as we get tossed about'.

The food processing industry will be changed out of all recognition as the very bases on which it rests are modified.

The first basic has been are cheap inputs of grains and meats resulting from the availability of cheap artificial fertilisers (derived from natural gas, by energy-intensive processes and depending on diesel to distribute and apply them).

The second basic has been cheap transportation and shipping.

Both those basics are now 'has beens'.

What he calls the 'farm sector' will have to restructure; but to be a successful restructuring it will have to be a 'bottom-up' one.

I am not surprised at this man's attempt to peddle a 'top down' one. That is his job. But, if he succeeded, it would only make the transition from the cheap energy, cheap food era even more messy and painful than it is bound to be.

And it will be messy and painful. Taking his most optimistic figure of a three-fold rise in food prices means that many, many Thais would have no money left for anything else whatsoever after buying their day's food.

It is possible to construct a scenario in which Thailand manages to get its population fed and housed in the dear-energy, dear food, future. But it has no room for any more of a food-processing industry than a small one that is organised in quite-local units.

(I wouldn't recommend the purchase of CP shares, any more than shares in an air-freight company that flies asparagus from Kenya to London.)

.

[cloudhopper]

I am only wondering if "times" was poorly translated from "per cent" in this article...or are they really envisioning a Zimbabwe-like scenario of hyper inflation?

[h90]

Food Institute chief sees need to restructure farm sector

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should restructure its agricultural sector for the overall improvement of production in preparation for an expected heightening of the global food crisis, according to the food industry executive.

Food Institute director Yutthasak Supasorn said the severity of the food crisis was predicted by scientists and economists, who based their calculations on various factors, but on energy prices in particular.

They believed food prices would increase 20-50 times in the next decade.

He said Thailand, unlike many other countries, might not be adversely affected by the crisis because it is a major food producing country

However, the country must restructure its agricultural sector, invest in its production bases to give easier access to the farm sector, and improve the value-added of raw materials used for food production.

Mr. Yutthasak said he believed Thailand would not be affected by the world food price crisis during the next three to five years.

Still, food prices in the country might increase by three to five times in the next decade.

-- TNA 2008-06-25

I suspect calls for "restructuring the farm sector" are thinly veiled code for destroying the small farm sector and replacing it with the agribusiness model. People like Mr Yutthasak can play loose and fast with stats, as they are working for a particular interest group with a target to shift the rural poor from their land. Of course, if food prices did increase "20-50 times in the next decade" there would be mass starvation and insurrection across the world, but that's beside the point. Even a doubling in basic food staple's cost in the next year could create great instability.

And what coincident that Thaksin walked around with Arab investors who are interested in rice farming......

[astral]

I suspect calls for "restructuring the farm sector" are thinly veiled code for destroying the small farm sector and replacing it with the agribusiness model.

Maybe that change is needed.

More investment would prompt better water management and hence

more efficient use of the land, for a greater part of the year?