DOAE to request THB900m budget to relieve post-Sep drought

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) - Director-General of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) Olarn Pitak has revealed his office will request a THB900m budget for use in encouraging economomical use of water in the agricultural sector, at the Cabinet meeting next week.

He revealed the measure on Friday after charing the opening ceremony of a seminar which was participated by the private sector and farmers to draw up measures in preparation for the ongoing low water reserve.

Despite a forecast of higher rainfall from July to October, the official said farmers should be prepared for another round of drought which predictably comes after September onwards. The situation could be a cause of worry for farmers in 22 provinces across the Chao Phraya River Basin where rice cultivation has already begun on an area of 1.4 million rai.

The proposed budget aims to relieve effects of the drought in the agricultural sector. Accordingly, farmers are suggested to grow alternative crops which are also in high demand in the market but consume less water such as field corns, green beans, soybeans and so on.

Mr.Olarn added that the DOAE would ask the government to reduce the interest rate of agricultural loans by at least 2% for farmers who have cooperated in postponing their off-season rice planting or growing alternative plants as suggested by the DOAE.

-- NNT 2015-07-10

900 million is a lot to spend to encourge farmers to conserve water. what will you spend it on, education? if it a drought there is no water to buy, conservation already taking place. planting canceled or posponed, etc.

if a government offical proposes this amount of spending he should at least tell us where the money is to be spent,

go back to bath tub bathing everyone use same water. community bath time at darkthirty in local klong? Just so many unasked nor answered question in this exr=ercise in spending and what will be the return on expenditure. how many new hires are needed/wanted

900 million is a lot to spend to encourge farmers to conserve water. what will you spend it on, education? if it a drought there is no water to buy, conservation already taking place. planting canceled or posponed, etc.

if a government offical proposes this amount of spending he should at least tell us where the money is to be spent,

go back to bath tub bathing everyone use same water. community bath time at darkthirty in local klong? Just so many unasked nor answered question in this exr=ercise in spending and what will be the return on expenditure. how many new hires are needed/wanted

A spot on comment... but then this is a hallmark of this government which seems to believe that it has no accountability to the people. It goes on approving project after project that the PM thinks are a good idea but with minimal if any proper due diligence. So sad to see so much money wasted.

This is the opitome of seeing an opportunity ££££ in a crisis