Thai politics: The Green Revolution that did more harm than good

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
The Green Revolution that did more harm than good
Supon Thanukid

BANGKOK: -- Let me first clarify that the intention of this column is not to promote or criticise the documentary "Food Inc", which was released four years ago. It is just that I only recently got around to watching the film and discovered that the subject matter is not out-of-date at all. In fact, it very much reflects the current reality in Thailand.

The Prayut Chan-o-cha administration is contending with some serious agriculture-related problems, and the dilemmas in the United States that the film highlighted are much like the problems Thai farmers are suffering now.

It is undeniable that farming, which once used to be simple, has now developed into a huge industry.

"Food Inc" raises a very pertinent question: are people aware of where the food they eat comes from and how it was processed?

After World War II, raising chickens, pigs and cattle became industrialised. Nature has been tampered with to provide higher yields, leading to so-called "contract farming" led by huge corporations who control the industry. This concept of contract farming first began in the United States, and not so long ago, many of these behemoth corporations entered Thailand - significantly changing the lives of Thai farmers.

Sadly, many of these farmers are now drowning in their tears and some have even ended their lives after being left penniless by this cycle of big agro business.

"Food Inc" reveals how this cycle of contract farming run by mammoth corporations changed the lives of American farmers. It sheds light on the predatory nature of capitalist groups who exploit farmers and consumers for the sake of maximum profit, not to mention the illnesses that come with this mode of farming.

Not everything that the film exposes has become a reality in Thailand yet, but some things have already arrived. The Kingdom embraced the so-called Green Revolution five decades ago as part of the first National Social and Economic Development Plan. This "transformation" changed irrigation methods, brought new technology to farming, food processing and encouraged farmers to adopt a single-crop scheme, which made them dependent on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

The same revolution was applied to marine farming. Eventually, Thailand became the world's No 1 rice exporter and a leading exporter of shrimp and chicken meat, bringing in lots of revenue over the decades.

However, many hidden problems are now emerging from this Green Revolution, such as degradation of soil, contamination of water sources, chemical-tainted food, drastic reduction in underground water resources and huge debts incurred by farmers due to their dependency on chemical-intensive farming.

The cost of chemical-intensive farming is high and the yield is only big in the initial stages. Crops eventually end up facing greater threats, as pests become resistant to chemical pesticide.

Prayut and related ministries are now working on introducing measures to tackle agricultural problems and find ways to help assist farmers.

Hopefully they will pay close attention to all aspects of the industry, to recognise Thailand's missteps and consider the option of organic farming - after all organic produce fetches a higher price, is safer for farmers and environmentally more sustainable.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/The-Green-Revolution-that-did-more-harm-than-good-30248272.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-21

[noitom]

And free they should be.

[chainarong]

Sometimes what's good for one area doesn't necessarily work elsewhere and the some times it does , the US climate for starters is totally different to Thailand's, the US have modern technology in use where as Thailand has antiquated equipment and a cheap labour force, the weighing up for green fingered farmers would indicated that with labour intensive and more costly organic farming, Thailand with it's warm humid climate , CHEAP labour and with the tightening of restrictions for international companies , yes Thailand of could very well become the organic HUB of ASIA.

[sawadee1947]

there were made good steps almost 50 years ago by the King, but they lost their way in the meantime. At present food should be only cheap. Nobody is considering the poison/fertilizer which they are to use.

Indeed Thailand could be the Hub of organic food. The problem is: How to control or WHO will control? And all this ruled be corruption...!

[maidee]

CP comes to mind

followed by ... lawsuits to shut up everybody ?

[DeepInTheForest]

One of the major struggles confronting humanity in the 21st century will be around the topic of food-- who controls the food production and distribution system, and what purpose it serves.

Since agribusiness involves a good deal of global-warming emissions, it will have multiple layers of effects on us.

Perhaps most critical is this: What exactly are we eating? Where did it come from and how was it grown? How do we know?

As fiercely contested electoral battles in the US have shown, the neoliberal corporatocracy has every intention of completing its stranglehold on the food system. Increased profits, doncha know.

It will take determined action by many organized citizens over the course of generations to alter the course of things.

[Thai at Heart]

y, Thailand became the world's No 1 rice exporter and a leading exporter of shrimp and chicken meat, bringing in lots of revenue over the decades.

To whom?