Thai Commerce Min to promote agricultural zoning nationwide

[webfact]

Commerce Min to promote agricultural zoning nationwide



BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has instructed all provincial governors to promote the government’s agricultural zoning theory in their provinces in a bid to solve problems in the agricultural industry.

Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kajornprasart said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has placed her emphasis on the agricultural zoning idea as he has instructed all provincial governors to inspect cultivation areas in their provinces and see if the plant or crop is compatible with soil, atmosphere, weather, and other elements in the area.

The deputy minister also mentioned about the current rubber situation. He said the governors will talk to rubber growers in their province about the government’s measures and support to help the farmers.

He added that in 2014, another project called “Green City” will be launched in 6 provinces namely Chiang Mai, Sisaket, Nongkhai, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, and Pattalung. However, he did not reveal the detail of the project.


-- NNT 2013-09-07

[siampolee]

Seems almost like a rerun of the old communist system of state farms producing to order irrespective of the consumers needs and the area involved.

The quota must be met, another fine example of the anus replacing the mouth from ill informed government sources.

No doubt yet another avenue is about to open to enhance the channeling of state monies into officials pockets.

[slapout]

Wonder what the qualifications of these political appointees are in the ag field in the provience where they are serving? Never mind, they will fit in well with those who have proposed this circle jerk.

[lemonjelly]

<He added that in 2014, another project called “Green City” will be launched in 6 provinces namely Chiang Mai, Sisaket, Nongkhai, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, and Pattalung. However, he did not reveal the detail of the project.> .....because they only came up with the idea after a few drinks and karoke last night.

Edited September 7, 2013 by lemonjelly

[backtonormal]

Seems almost like a rerun of the old communist system of state farms producing to order irrespective of the consumers needs and the area involved.

The quota must be met, another fine example of the anus replacing the mouth from ill informed government sources.

No doubt yet another avenue is about to open to enhance the channeling of state monies into officials pockets.

Maybe it could be to improve farmers incomes and find an alternative to relying on rice

[Ricardo]

Hope my wife's fish-ponds are approved as the sole-zone for raising 'Thai beluga-caviar', then we might have a hub, all of our own !

This scheme will open-the-doors for all sorts of corruption, imagine the poor farmers having now to 'bid', to be continued to be allowed to grow the crop which they've grown all their lives, and which they know best ? And the remote provincial-governors who will make the decisions, and the slew of advisers and connected-intermediaries, who will deliver the required zoning, at a price. This in a country where many farmers don't yet even have proper title to the land they own/farm.

[tingtong]

Seems almost like a rerun of the old communist system of state farms producing to order irrespective of the consumers needs and the area involved.

The quota must be met, another fine example of the anus replacing the mouth from ill informed government sources.

No doubt yet another avenue is about to open to enhance the channeling of state monies into officials pockets.

Maybe it could be to improve farmers incomes and find an alternative to relying on rice

at the least, rice is something a farmer can eat.

see, try to eat rubber! or eucaliptus! they were very much in a short while ago...

if the government would just stop this subsidizing, and let the market forces work out...

however, if they really and trully want to help farmers then STOP THE MIDDLE MEN system!

[hellodolly]

BANGKOK, 7 September 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has instructed all provincial governors to promote the government’s agricultural zoning theory in their provinces

Seems strange to me that they have to tell them how to do thir job. Woulden't it be better to put out a plan that will work and every one will make money? in a bid to solve problems in the agricultural industry.

Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kajornprasart said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has placed her emphasis on the agricultural zoning idea Well that is reassuring Yingluck thinks it is good. We can all sleep sound tonight.

as he has instructed all provincial governors to inspect cultivation areas in their provinces and see if the plant or crop is compatible with soil, atmosphere, weather, and other elements in the area.

O for sure the Governors are experts on these subjects. For X number of baht you can keep on growing rice otherwise I will make you grow sugar cane and rubber trees.

The deputy minister also mentioned about the current rubber situation. He said the governors will talk to rubber growers in their province about the government’s measures and support to help the farmers. In other words the Federal Government dosen't want to hear it.

He added that in 2014, another project called “Green City” will be launched in 6 provinces namely Chiang Mai, Sisaket, Nongkhai, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, and Pattalung. However, he did not reveal the detail of the project.

Let us hope he keeps his mouth shut. We in Chiang Mai would rather have a rail roal that goes to Bangkok with out having bridges washed out and trains derailed ion a regular base.

[Gulfsailor]

Compared to other (even less developed neighbouring) countries, Thailands yield per rai is abysmal for nearly all crops/produce. Even though Thailand has very good and virtile land. So either; Thai farmers are lazy or they grow the wrong crop in the wrong area. Yes, you could stop all subsidies and let the market take care of the problem, but then you will have 10 million farmer families creating havoc in Bangkok. Another solution is to educate farmers, but they won't accept something a Bangkok agricultural scholar is trying to tell them. So quickest and cheapest solution is zoning. I actually applaud PTP for this, as it might be the only thing having a shot at stopping the need for the super costly subsidies now given.

[Ricardo]

On re-reading the OP, I notice that they aren't actually proposing going-ahead with the zoning, merely that provincial-governors should promote "the theory" of the "agricultural zoning idea", so it's actually all just hot-air !

Perhaps they're saving the promise of actually doing something, until the next election ?

Just when I was looking-forward to my Thai-caviar-on-toast for brekky, too !

Edited September 8, 2013 by Ricardo

[Baerboxer]

Compared to other (even less developed neighbouring) countries, Thailands yield per rai is abysmal for nearly all crops/produce. Even though Thailand has very good and virtile land. So either; Thai farmers are lazy or they grow the wrong crop in the wrong area. Yes, you could stop all subsidies and let the market take care of the problem, but then you will have 10 million farmer families creating havoc in Bangkok. Another solution is to educate farmers, but they won't accept something a Bangkok agricultural scholar is trying to tell them. So quickest and cheapest solution is zoning. I actually applaud PTP for this, as it might be the only thing having a shot at stopping the need for the super costly subsidies now given.

Do you seriously believe that a zoning policy implemented by PTP would benefit anyone other than themselves?

[siampolee]

Maybe it could be to improve farmers incomes and find an alternative to relying on rice

Might be worthwhile checking back in time to see how ineffective the state farm and zoning system was in Russia. Farmers are in tune with the earth , bureaucrats are in tune with theory and white envelopes along with sizes of their own ego's.

Certain crops can only be grown in certain areas due to soils conditions, the availability of water and of course local climate conditions. Do you really think that this government is actually interested in bettering the lot of the farmers?

No they are not. They want to cultivate more cannon fodder and open hands to receive cash at election times.

[lineofentry]

Compared to other (even less developed neighbouring) countries, Thailands yield per rai is abysmal for nearly all crops/produce. Even though Thailand has very good and virtile land. So either; Thai farmers are lazy or they grow the wrong crop in the wrong area. Yes, you could stop all subsidies and let the market take care of the problem, but then you will have 10 million farmer families creating havoc in Bangkok. Another solution is to educate farmers, but they won't accept something a Bangkok agricultural scholar is trying to tell them. So quickest and cheapest solution is zoning. I actually applaud PTP for this, as it might be the only thing having a shot at stopping the need for the super costly subsidies now given.

Well said, Thai farmers are herd animals, if they see someone make a bit of money with a particular crop one year, they ALL do it the next year so the local price collapses. The poor old soil doesn't get considered. A little bit of informed guidance on crop rotation and selection in particular areas has got to be a step in the right direction. Just hope they keep the giant GM Agri-Industrial bastards out and watch what is being sprayed around.