Unstable Weather Seriously Suffers Agricultural Farms

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Unstable Weather Seriously Suffers Agricultural Farms

BANGKOK: -- Many areas are reeling under the drought which has heavily affected agricultural farms and their production.

Many agricultural fields are being affected by hot weather in Nan Province, especially orange and lime orchards in Phu Phiang District, causing trees to have dried up branches, crinkled leaves, and poor fruit quality. Farmers were forced to harvest their produces, in spite of the fact that they remain in poor conditions.

A fifty-year-old Ban Nong Rung lime farmer Buajan Boonthorn said the weather is unstable this year and has caused damage to more than 200 lime trees. Many farmers have experienced losses and are going into debt.

Orange farmers have also suffered from the drought, due to aphid infestations and pink mold rot, which causes orange trees to shrivel and die.

Meanwhile, Mukdahan Governor Chanwit Wasayangkoon said that since the weather is changing from winter to summer, many areas are now suffering from water shortages, while the water level of the Mekong River is now one to two meters high, and is likely to reduce.

Officials in the area have asked residents in all villages and districts to build a small dam to store water according to His Majesty the King's vision to be used for farming.

At the same time, durian farmers at Chang Island in Trat Province are also suffering from low market prices and unstable weather causing unpredictable outputs and affecting the price of durian, which cannot be controlled.

Many durian farmers have turned to rubber farming, and only a few durian gardens are operating now. Meanwhile, Major General Jaruspim Teeralak, a manager of the Office Space Special Koh Chang Island, said that durian in Chang Island is original and unique.

This is because soil on the island contains elements of volcanic soil and vitamin D, which give the durian a great taste. The office will continue to develop and support the conservation of Mon Thong and Chanee durian species in Chang Island.

There are currently 458 rais of Mon Thong durian and 252 rais of Chanee durian on the island. Prices per kilogram are approximately 30-40 baht. However, the price has been continually decreasing.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-09