Smog in the North Being Blamed on Corn Farms

[Jacob Maslow]

The Biothai Foundation is blaming corn farms for the immense smog that is devastating Northern Thailand. The foundation’s director, Witoon Lianchamroon, held a seminar yesterday in which he stated that the industry lied to the public.

Witoon states that the industry benefits directly from corn plantations and that the falsehoods presented are a direct result.

The director goes on to state that there was a shortage of corn cultivation in the country. In an attempt to promote corn plantations to other areas, smog became an issue. Many corn farmers will burn their cornfields, which results in the smog Thailand is experiencing.

Farmers cannot bury their corn stubble in the dry season. This is due to 61 percent of new corn plantations being in mountainous regions. As a result, the farmers have to burn the corn stubble.

Many farmers are forced to grow only a single crop, which is a rising issue. It is suggested that many animal-feed companies are buying land and able to cut down forests to plant corn on the slopes. It’s recommended that these corn plantations on slopes change to local crops, such as coffee beans, to offset the immense smog in the region and put a stop to the corn burning.

-- 2015-04-09

[oneday]

Everyone knows what is happening...that's not the problem.

The problem is the governments willingness to do something about it.

[dcutman]

Many farmers are forced to grow only a single crop, which is a rising issue. It is suggested that many animal-feed companies are buying land and able to cut down forests to plant corn on the slopes. It’s recommended that these corn plantations on slopes change to local crops, such as coffee beans, to offset the immense smog in the region and put a stop to the corn burning.

Instead of suggesting things that farmers will not do, why not mandate education in modern farming practices? Obviously this guy has not took the time to read up on the hundreds of proven studies and programs to farming in these conditions without burning.

[brommers]

Thailand spends more per capita on education than every other country bar one and look where it has gotten us! I look down my street in Sanpiisua where we had no rain yesterday and can see a neighbour burning garden refuse. And he has a large house a big car and supposedly was educated. The core issue is that people simply don't care about the effects of their actions on others. So do only what they want. No amount of education will change things.

[SoilSpoil]

Bottom line is that the profits made in the Corn/animal feed industries are more important than people's health.

[ToddinChonburi]

This is freedom, do what ever you want .

[wabothai]

It is not only the cornfields burning. It is for a very large part due to out of control burning off jungle for future cornfields.

The farmers don't care because their forefathers did not care.

Add to that thainess.

Put 44 to work here for them to know that burnings are not tolerated.

Too many people are affected by this ignorance. Stop it now Prajuth,

it's just a strike of the pen for you. Show the Thai people and farangs livingin LOS you have balls.

[angiolo]

Yes sir you need balls....... how else can you make a < balls up > ?

[bruceybonus]

CP

[casualbiker]

How do other countries get the fields ready for replanting.. I'm sure that generally its not wholesale burning!

[slapout]

it requires a different type of planter/corn seeder to plant where the old corn stocks have been chopped and left in/on the ground awaiting nature to take its course in the decompositation process. this care/protection of the soil and the environment is incorportated/part of what some learnered people refer to as low tillage farming.

mositure is conserved for the growing money crop, water errosion is reduced when it does come heavy rain, less fuel and manhours are required to plant, raise and harvest the second crop. the farmer has less espense in his crop and the need to burn/pollute is reduced, and all this can be accomplishedd with less of a workforce required. to get this process presented does require someone who unmderstands the process and and has good knowledge of farm practices as presently practiced. t

this of course, requires individuals who spend their time in the fields, walking in the dirt, not in numerous cabinet meeting at the local 5 star clubhouse/resturant having a meeting with the rest of the committee members selected to approach/solve the problems,.

[jackanapes]

this habit of sweeling burning corn stubble has been in effect all over the world for decades because there has never been any alternatives .

[casualbiker]

this habit of sweeling burning corn stubble has been in effect all over the world for decades because there has never been any alternatives .

And yet post 11 suggests there is!

Also : http://thefarmerslife.com/environment/what-is-no-till/

Edited April 10, 2015 by casualbiker

[Pii Kate]

Forget about the corn farmers. Think about those who have hired them to plant corn.

repeat after me:

Monsanto, Monsanto, Monsanto, Monsanto, Monsanto, etc ad infinitum.

[Johnny S]

This is freedom, do what ever you want .

Some would call it Anarchy ...

[wabothai]

If it is so much of a problem, just don't grow the corn. Enough jobs around.

Railways, roads, buildings.

[phoenixdoglover]

This is why Thailand stills deserves the label as a "developing nation".

In developed countries there are air pollution standards and restrictions on burning. Plus, of course, an authority to declare "alert conditions", to detect violations, and an authority to fine or arrest violators.

In Thailand, evidently, there are just small groups of officials wringing their hands.

[loong]

I am assuming that the discussion here is about sweetcorn, corn on the cob.

Corn stalks can be collected and moved to one side. When the new crop is seeded, they can be used as mulch which helps fight soil erosion when the heavy rains come. Mulch protects the soil from drying out and conserves moisture and the slow decomposition feeds the new crop.

I only grow sweetcorn on a small scale, without mulch I get a single cob per plant, with mulch I get 2.

[ChrisY1]

CP

Dead right..........massive pig food farms....to produce pork for CP sausages and instant foods...(which are ok, IMO)........but ecologically.... a disaster as the smog shows.

But hey........this is, largely associated with the great and the indisputable wealthiest of all Thais..... Charoen.....and he's untouchable..... so keep burning the corn stubble mate......Thailand forgives you!!!

[xerostar]

It's the same problem with the sugar cane farmers.

They burn all the excess leaf material to make it easier to harvest the cane.

They don't understand that all that leaf matter being burnt is just wasting energy and polluting the atmosphere.

I believe the cane farmers in Queensland use this leaf matter for fuel in the sugar mills as well as for making mulch.

Making mulch or leaving it to decay on the ground enriches the soil ready for the next crop.

Besides all the black soot that rains down in our pool and outdoor areas - it's a pain to clean it all up.

[selftaopath]

What excuse do farmers in Isaan have for burning fields of sugar cane; both before cutting and or after? The pollution is wide spread.

[selftaopath]

Thailand spends more per capita on education than every other country bar one and look where it has gotten us! I look down my street in Sanpiisua where we had no rain yesterday and can see a neighbour burning garden refuse. And he has a large house a big car and supposedly was educated. The core issue is that people simply don't care about the effects of their actions on others. So do only what they want. No amount of education will change things.

The core issue is that people simply don't care about the effects of their actions on others. Also known as "Thainess."

[assayer]

What excuse do farmers in Isaan have for burning fields of sugar cane; both before cutting and or after? The pollution is wide spread.

In Thailand sugar cane is harvested by hand, with a machete. You cannot walk down a row of cane and cut the stalks unless the leaves are burned off first because the leaf edges are so sharp they will cut you to shreds as you walk. Therefore they are burned prior to harvesting.

[assayer]

this habit of sweeling burning corn stubble has been in effect all over the world for decades because there has never been any alternatives .

And yet post 11 suggests there is!

Also : http://thefarmerslife.com/environment/what-is-no-till/

Corn silage is a great cattle foodstuff. It is simply corn stalks cut and piled into a storage place, covered and wait for it to ferment. This is the reason cattle love it, it is in essence corn liquor. After eating it the cattle will be slightly drunk. OOPS, The Thai farmers might also eat it huh??

[selftaopath]

What excuse do farmers in Isaan have for burning fields of sugar cane; both before cutting and or after? The pollution is wide spread.

In Thailand sugar cane is harvested by hand, with a machete. You cannot walk down a row of cane and cut the stalks unless the leaves are burned off first because the leaf edges are so sharp they will cut you to shreds as you walk. Therefore they are burned prior to harvesting.

Not true. It is done all the time here in Isaan.

[farmerjo]

This is one of many styles avalible what slapout is talking about.

I got mine from lopburi and have done a few mods,cuts thru stubble like a knife,no need to burn.

it requires a different type of planter/corn seeder to plant where the old corn stocks have been chopped and left in/on the ground awaiting nature to take its course in the decompositation process. this care/protection of the soil and the environment is incorportated/part of what some learnered people refer to as low tillage farming.

mositure is conserved for the growing money crop, water errosion is reduced when it does come heavy rain, less fuel and manhours are required to plant, raise and harvest the second crop. the farmer has less espense in his crop and the need to burn/pollute is reduced, and all this can be accomplishedd with less of a workforce required. to get this process presented does require someone who unmderstands the process and and has good knowledge of farm practices as presently practiced. t

this of course, requires individuals who spend their time in the fields, walking in the dirt, not in numerous cabinet meeting at the local 5 star clubhouse/resturant having a meeting with the rest of the committee members selected to approach/solve the problems,.