What Happened to the Farming Forum

[ozzydom]

The farming forum ,where serious farmers could banter ,exchange ideas ,give and receive advise etc ,seems to now be inundated by household and gardening threads to an extent that I personally cant be bothered any more .

There is a sub forum for organic gardening,small holding and kitchen gardening threads , also a Plants ,Pets and Vets Forum listed under the Community Forums.where a large percentage of the current threads should be placed.

It may just be me, but maybe the current state of the farming forum is the reason for the lack of threads and postings by members interested in serious farming matters.

[xen]

Hi Ozydom ,

As somebody who is involved in the horticultural industry i see a closer relationship with farming than having a section on gardening and pets . It would be better to have an ornamental horticulture within the Farming Section so that it doesn't completely infringe on farming . Just the way i see it, everybody will have individual opinions no doubt.

Or have a sub-forum on landscaping !

[IsaanAussie]

Interesting thought Dom. Personally I agree that the subject matter does seem to be drifting away from formal farming. Perhaps that reflects the increase in the number of expats now living in rural areas and a change of interests. In my part of Isaan many of the "new arrivals" are not as focused on actively farming as I am. To me it is of little consequence. What is important is the existing farming content of the forum.

But I would suggest that the search function be used a little more often rather than starting new topics which have been well covered before. As for "off subject" posts, well that is up to the moderators to control.

[namdocmai]

If my threads of tropical fruits are bothering you then i can understand that. I don't know where else to post them, maybe the forum should have a special fruit forum? There is almost bobody replying to the fruitthreads so it seems they are not interested in growing fruits.

For me it is also annoying to read about growing rubber tree's and other farming subjects since i have no interest in that. I wonder though why you farmers don't grow some fruittree's around the farm as well but that's not my business. Also there are big opportunity's in growing some new fruit that Thailand doesn't have yet, in BKK they will pay top$ for that but if you guys prefer to grow rice or sugarcane then go ahead.

[IsaanAussie]

If my threads of tropical fruits are bothering you then i can understand that. I don't know where else to post them, maybe the forum should have a special fruit forum? There is almost bobody replying to the fruitthreads so it seems they are not interested in growing fruits.

For me it is also annoying to read about growing rubber tree's and other farming subjects since i have no interest in that. I wonder though why you farmers don't grow some fruittree's around the farm as well but that's not my business. Also there are big opportunity's in growing some new fruit that Thailand doesn't have yet, in BKK they will pay top$ for that but if you guys prefer to grow rice or sugarcane then go ahead.

NDM your fruit trees are well placed in the farming forum, keep posting. That sort of topic adds to the reference material for farmers as well as gardeners.

[Jotham79]

I agree with OD. Where I used to read every post on every thread, I only read about 30% of the threads. I think part of this is that I am seeing posts that could be answered with a bit of searching and others that don't seem on topic for this forum. I'd like to see more details about costs, earnings, and exactly what people "have" done.

[tim armstrong]

Maybe its just changes in the membership. I used to use the health forum a lot, but it seems to be different now. But the farming forum is still the best and most practical without too much BS.

[patongphil]

I am going to take my bat and ball and go home.

[grimleybob]

I am going to take my bat and ball and go home.

There's only one reply to this "good"

[bergen]

Maybe it's time to revive the Lao farm meeting topic again..............

[David48]

I must admit, because I receive very few replies on my Fish Farm / Shrimp-Prawn threads, I do wonder if,

... am I out of sync with what the Farming Forum wants?

.

[IsaanAussie]

I must admit, because I receive very few replies on my Fish Farm / Shrimp-Prawn threads, I do wonder if,

... am I out of sync with what the Farming Forum wants?

.

Fair question. What is wanted now? Time and interests move on after all. Our photo library is becoming one of the best rural image collections I have seen! Perhaps a poll David?

[cooked]

I must admit, because I receive very few replies on my Fish Farm / Shrimp-Prawn threads, I do wonder if,

... am I out of sync with what the Farming Forum wants?

.

David, I have read your prawn thread with interest but have nothing to add, There is no way I am going to start prawn farming and I know nothing about it. Same goes for many other threads. (rubber for instance).

Taking my own personal situation, I came to Thailand full of plans to show the backward Thais how to farm. Confronted with the realities of soil, climate, work ethic (not my own family) and downright dishonesty I quickly came to the conclusion that farming in my part of Isaan on the land that we have is out of the question for me. I guess that many people go through the same process.

This doesn't mean that farming as well as the political, social and ethical concerns that accompany it doesn't interest me.

I do agree that some of the threads that come in are a bit off forum topics, but many people expect farmers to know stuff about plants and animals.

PS: we will be buying a second hand rice harvester next year and taking rice as part payment for our services as we have storage space, exploiting the farmers is the only way to make money out of agriculture (only partly in jest).

Somebody mentioned going to Lao, an interesting proposition, I talked to a Vientiane taxi driver recently and he told us he gets 12 Baht a Kg for his rice, same as Isaan farmers are getting right now for Hom Mali. Small stuff like that can put a different perspective on things. From a practical point of view I would have to get a multi entry visa and I don't want to! Participation in one of the agricultural/horticultural exhibitions one of these days might be interesting, just a small stand and a few bilingual ladies... sorry I am rambling on a bit.

[Shancloudy]

Actually my dad has 24 hectares of land but nobody in the family interested to do farming even my dad. I asked him why you bought that land if you'll not do anything to that land. He said believe me you gonna use it someday. Sometimes he is weird..... ( haha )

[Dancealot]

Actually my dad has 24 hectares of land but nobody in the family interested to do farming even my dad. I asked him why you bought that land if you'll not do anything to that land. He said believe me you gonna use it someday. Sometimes he is weird..... ( haha )

Farming is not in my blood, but I stay attracted to it. (weird) isn't it?

[Shancloudy]

Actually my dad has 24 hectares of land but nobody in the family interested to do farming even my dad. I asked him why you bought that land if you'll not do anything to that land. He said believe me you gonna use it someday. Sometimes he is weird..... ( haha )

Farming is not in my blood, but I stay attracted to it. (weird) isn't it?

Yeah I think so.

I don't like farming as well but I like to climb the jackfruit tree and eat jackfruit on top of the tree.

[Dancealot]

Actually my dad has 24 hectares of land but nobody in the family interested to do farming even my dad. I asked him why you bought that land if you'll not do anything to that land. He said believe me you gonna use it someday. Sometimes he is weird..... ( haha )

Farming is not in my blood, but I stay attracted to it. (weird) isn't it?

Yeah I think so.

I don't like farming as well but I like to climb the jackfruit tree and eat jackfruit on top of the tree.

[3rd line] edited by Shancloudy,, several minutes ago.

I dont have to make it to the top, like you.

Meet me half way, in the chill-out-tree if you can reach.

[somo]

I agree with OD. Where I used to read every post on every thread, I only read about 30% of the threads. I think part of this is that I am seeing posts that could be answered with a bit of searching and others that don't seem on topic for this forum. I'd like to see more details about costs, earnings, and exactly what people "have" done.

I have posted specific figures in the past as to how I make money growing cassava with very litle personal effort.

The so called "serious" farmers here tried to ridicule my figures for some strange reason. One seems to be that unless you are prepared to work 16 hours/day at it then you have no chance of success.

A pretty ridiculous viewpoint in such a low wage country.

That plus their negative attitude to any new threads/enquiries about the possibility of making a go of farming here in Thailand contributed to my disenchantment and I am sure put off the newbie poster as they are rather arrogantly refered to.

Newcomers were told either to not waste time asking old questions or to forget farming unless they had 10m Baht to throw away.

I know of other members who no longer post here for similar reasons. Me I drop by occasionally but find little of interest now.

[Shancloudy]

Actually my dad has 24 hectares of land but nobody in the family interested to do farming even my dad. I asked him why you bought that land if you'll not do anything to that land. He said believe me you gonna use it someday. Sometimes he is weird..... ( haha )

Farming is not in my blood, but I stay attracted to it. (weird) isn't it?

Yeah I think so.

I don't like farming as well but I like to climb the jackfruit tree and eat jackfruit on top of the tree.

[3rd line] edited by Shancloudy,, several minutes ago.

I dont have to make it to the top, like you.

Meet me half way, in the chill-out-tree if you can reach.

I'm speechless.... By the way Happy New Year... ( smile )

[Crossy]

I do understand where OD is coming from, we have a perfectly good plants, pets, vets forum for gardening threads

Farming isn't the most active of our fora, so mods don't necessarily visit every day to move threads.

Do us a favour by a little self-moderation, simply hit 'report' on any threads that belong in plants, pets, vets and someone will move it, easy

The 'report' button isn't just for illegal or nasty posts, it's there simply to draw our attention to a thread or post.

Thanks for understanding.

EDIT We have chickens, geese and guinea fowl, they are primarily pets (geese, pets?) but I know I'll get better answers to any problems here rather than pets

[farmerjo]

I tend to agree with OD,the main section used to be more relevant to broadacre type farming with some fish and cattle farming as its common farming in thailand.

We've see specialised threads on rubber,cassava etc which i agree with,maybe should be one for fruit and vegatables that dont fit into the organic section.

Farm photo's has been the winner here for a long time now.

[bina]

i am the cultprit... as i am not very active on board here...

frankly i think that there are just less people that are into farming as farming and not as 'gardening'. as for repeat questions. there is nothing to do about that. searching the forum doesnt always bring up the answers needed or they are very old answers, - how many tick on dogs threads are there? how many 'why do thais not control their dogs'... or 'where can i find a vet for... ' questions constantly reappear? i am on other forums (backyard chicken forum )and frankly, after i got my initial info, i stopped posting because most of the people were on the forum as chatting daily updates etc as they must live in remote areas w/o daily access to humans. i got my info, and left.

same here. its often easier to jsut ask then to start searching. someone has patience, then he/she can answer. why not?

and gardening is farming at some point. when does a large amount of chilis go from kitchen garden to farm plot? personally i consider gardening as "a few plants of many things, and asthetics is a driving force. farming is for food/money"

i dont think subforums are always the answer, i think that it narrows down the audience too much. sometimes its fun and enlightening to read thru someone's fish farm /frog farm thread, or apples in korat (are there?) thread.

perhaps farming (farang sided) has gone thru changes since we set up this sub forum. bannork is less bannork. prices have gone up. people are less interested in farming. there is more techno-agriculture and less thais are farming. too many suadi arabians buying up rice land. (hypthesese. not to be taken as real info.) just wondering out loud.

maybe there are more farangs closer together in up coutnry areas so people see and meet up without having to meet on a forum?

maybe we have to find guest lecturers to present stuff in english on the forum. there are farm shows and agri shows and flower shows galore in thailand. anyone of you all attend ? *i live in israel so i cannot*. but if someone does go, posting findings and info here would be nice. bought a new tractor? write about it here, evaluate it. new products arrived in thailand? this is the place.

i , unlike many of you, do not live in thailnd. therefore i cannot add interesting info. BUT YOU CAN.

have a farming log? post parts here.

a friend is building a mud house and solar panels and raising a new vintage in loei? get them to post.

my say.

bina

[David48]

Let me find the correct smilie.

This one will do ...

[IsaanAussie]

Bina, I think you are right on the money.

I tend to think the number of "farmers" amongst us is a reasonably static number. Some old birds have fallen off the twig and new ones hatched. There have been many that have given it a go and realised that the economics ain't great and the work constant. Others that have really made a go of it. Still others that enjoy the country lifestyle and growing community.

Hopefully the forum doesn't lose the basic focus on farming as that is what has built it's value.

Personally I can always be reached by PM by those who have explicit questions or wish to buy what we sell.

[Jotham79]

I agree with OD. Where I used to read every post on every thread, I only read about 30% of the threads. I think part of this is that I am seeing posts that could be answered with a bit of searching and others that don't seem on topic for this forum. I'd like to see more details about costs, earnings, and exactly what people "have" done.

I have posted specific figures in the past as to how I make money growing cassava with very litle personal effort.

The so called "serious" farmers here tried to ridicule my figures for some strange reason. One seems to be that unless you are prepared to work 16 hours/day at it then you have no chance of success.

A pretty ridiculous viewpoint in such a low wage country.

That plus their negative attitude to any new threads/enquiries about the possibility of making a go of farming here in Thailand contributed to my disenchantment and I am sure put off the newbie poster as they are rather arrogantly refered to.

Newcomers were told either to not waste time asking old questions or to forget farming unless they had 10m Baht to throw away.

I know of other members who no longer post here for similar reasons. Me I drop by occasionally but find little of interest now.

Hi Somo,

I remember your post well and it is the type of post I am advocating. A number of folks like you have dropped off which is the forums loss. You had more than a few replies of people claiming you couldn't do what you did. I even looked into cassava out near my farm and there are some is being grown a little north of me, but I have no idea how far they have to truck it to sell. In any case I found you post interesting. I think there is too much "opinion" sometimes (not always). I am seeing the same thing in the thread I wrote on teak trees. I have several people tell me I am wrong about what I just did when they have no detailed knowledge. I didn't post for agreement, I posted so other folks new what happen to me. Everyone's experience in farming is different and what may work at one place and time may not work in another. The best we can do is make informed decisions, but getting accurate information is not always easy.

[BAYBOY]

Have to agree with some of the "older posters". I Joined the Thai visa forum because of the farming forum.

For several years I have fun farmed as time permitted on 5 rai. It was always interesting to read what Farmers were doing and what crops, methods, equipment, and end results were. Questions asked and advice given which helped to improve my knowledge of what farmers were doing in Thailand.

Frankly I do wonder how many are farming as opposed to fun farming these days. Returns generally are low and gate prices of most crops have not moved in the farmers favor. The middle men seem to do well for little or no work effort or money invested, and I am sure this has caused the decline in farming interest be it Thai or Foreign farmers.

I do wish the forum picks up and continues but feel the input will lessen as the years go on.

BAYBOY

[teletiger]

One thing I've just noticed, (thanks to the OP for bringing it up) and that is that we have a "smallholding and kitchen garden" sub forum. Now for some reason I've always thought of this as "the organic" section. But from it's name it is also much more.

But where to draw the line? Are my 16 (so far) RIR chickens banned from mention in the main forum? Where to bring up your single mushroom house? Your 50 sq. mt. pond? 20 ducks?

I think a little patience is needed here. There are the obvious ones, (that Bina has so graciously owned) that we can report, just as a matter of protocol.

The forum is evolving. Not everyone will like it.

Gone are Ramdom Chances, (dairy farmer) Maize Farmer (Dairy farmer on 1000+ Rai and tractor dealer). My personal favorite Jandtaa, an absolute wealth of information on anything organic/humic (?)/permawhatever. Lots of others that slip my mind and I bet a few are still lurkers.

While the farming forum will never meet the expectations of everyone, there is still much to be enjoyed/gleaned/ surprised, in whatever form it takes.

Regards.

[teletiger]

OK. I just reported

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682712-what-is-this-plant/#entry7055610

for being on the wrong thread.
Why do i feel like a grass?

Regards.

[Cashboy]

A small holder in the UK is defined as land run by a single family under 50 acres ( 126 rai ).

However, I get the impression Thais think they have a farm when they have 5 rai plus.

I was looking at operating 30 rai and was considering this therefore to be a "Farm".

Maybe somebody could tell me what the definition of a farmer is in Thailand and also on the farming forum?

[Jotham79]

I tend to look at this forum as for commercial operations. If you are doing it for money (not necessarily a living), but if you wouldn't do it if you don't profit then you are commercial. If you are selling your eggs and ducks or chickens for profit that is one thing, if you just have ducks around because they are cool (which they are) then that is different. I agree that there should be some flexibility especially for those just starting out, but there is also a responsibility of new folks to do a little research. I also tend to look at the activity to some extent eg. chickens, ducks, goats tend to be more farm oriented than peacock, pheasants, or potbellied pigs.