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DROUGHT
Govt urged to pay farmers
THE NATION



The water supply cut, which took effect yesterday, is expected to affect 1.4 million rai of paddy fields in central region

BANGKOK: -- A NATIONAL network of rice farmers has urged the government to pay compensation to farmers whose paddies have been damaged by the sharp cut in water supply to the agriculture sector.

Ubonsak Bualuang-ngam, chairman of the Rice Committee of National Farmers' Council, said the compensation sought by the grouping's members is about Bt3,000-Bt4,000 per rai - the amount the farmers have already invested in their farmland before the water supply was cut off yesterday.

"We submitted letters to the government twice, but there has been no response so far. Such a compensation would be necessary because we followed the government's advice by starting the annual rice crop on May 1.

"Many farmers borrowed money to buy seeds and fertilisers for their crop. I would like to ask whose fault is it - the government's or the farmers?

"We're not threatening the government but if the hardship of indebted farmers worsens, they will have no alternative but to take to the streets," he said.

The sharp cut in water discharge for farming, which started yesterday, will hit a total of 1.4 million rai of paddy fields in the Central region. The prolonged drought will lop off an estimated 3-4 percentage points off the agriculture sector's contribution to gross domestic product.

The farm sector's share in Thailand's overall GDP is 8-9 per cent.

"The agricultural sector will face negative growth this year, as production of many crops is low, prices of many commodities remain low and rice growing is limited due to the drought," said Lersak Rewtarkulpaiboon, secretary-general of the Agricultural Economics Office under the Agriculture Ministry.

The hardest hit will be the farming sector, while other businesses are still going strong this year, like those in the livestock, seafood and forestry industries.

Meanwhile, soldiers and local authorities yesterday stood guard at pumping stations in several provinces to make sure local farmers did not divert water to their lands.

Royal Irrigation Department deputy director Suthep Noipairoj said 1.4 million rai of farmland in the Chao Phraya River basin was hit out of a total 4.9 million rai.

"These areas will suffer during the next 20 days before there are more seasonal rains, which should minimise the damage," Suthep said.

At the local level, Phitsanulok Irrigation Project director Bandit Inta said 120,000 rai of paddy field are at risk of damage from the drought and will have to rely on rains for irrigation, as there is no water supply for agriculture anymore.

"The overall paddy fields in the irrigation zone in Phitsanulok are around 700,000 rai, and most of them have already harvested. The remaining 120,000 rai will have to rely solely on rains and they may escape damage if the rains arrive," Bandit said.

The director of Chai Nat Provincial Agriculture Office, Theerasak Chumnguen, revealed that around 100,000 rai of paddy fields in the province are vulnerable to suffer from water shortage of the overall 770,380 rai.

Theerasak stated that even plantations that consume less water such as sugar cane and cassava are suffering damage due to the drought.

"We are trying to help the farmers by digging 93 new wells to provide alternative sources of water. However, currently only 27 wells are functional," he revealed.

Suthep said from now on the Royal Irrigation Department and related agencies have to secure the understanding of farmers about water usage and the 335 water pumping stations in the Chao Phraya River basin have to be closely monitored to restrict water usage in the agricultural sector. Water usage priority will be given for domestic usage and to sustain the ecology.

Bandit said the authorities have to ensure that the new water distribution plan will ensure water for domestic use. He also said the government has to save as much water as it can, because the period for collecting water in the dams is short and it is still unclear how much rainfall will be received until the monsoon season ends in November.

"If there is less rain, we will have to face a tough drought situation again next year," he added.

In order to reduce the water discharge, Suthep Lertsrimongkol, director-general of the Sirikit Dam, announced that 16 million cubic centimetres of water were released yesterday while the level of water discharged will be reduced by a million cubic metres each day until next Tuesday.

"With that measure, the volume of water released will be minimised to 11 million cubic metres according to the government's plan, while the remaining water amount stands at 298 million cubic metres," Suthep said.

Bhumibol Dam director Nattawut Jaemjang revealed that the daily decrease of 1 million cubic metres of water discharged will be maintained until Saturday. After that the water will be released at 5 million cubic metres per day until further notice, which he assured would be adequate for domestic consumption.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Govt-urged-to-pay-farmers-30264628.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-17

[Wilsonandson]

How can climate change be the fault of the government. Even with the super computer we still cannot predict the weather. And how about the farmers thanking the current efforts in artificial rainmaking to help ease the current drought affected areas. If you want to help solve the current crisis then join in the 'save water campaign' set up by the government.

[Searat7]

Water supplies were very low in April..as compared to prior years..I was very surprised the government allowed a wet Songkran.

[sammygood]

planes, we need some of them magical planes that bring water.... so if the stuff works , than why are they not used .... mhhhhh

we can only bring rain in places with already lots of clouds kind of thingie ?

[Srikcir]

In May 2015 the Thai government banned rice farmers in 26 provinces from planting their off-season or second rice due to drought.

Farmers who were asked to put off their rice cultivation would be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants. Farmers who put off their rice cultivation this year would not get cash compensation but be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants.

BAAC has prepared 60 billion baht to give out as loans to farmers to help farmers affected by water shortages. The interest rate of 4% will be applied for the first 9 months. However, no interest will be incurred on for the remaining 3 months.

Some farmers' response was to go ahead and plant, then ask for cash compensation for their losses due to water shortages. Lesson learned one would think.

BUT

Prayut has shown he is not above political influence in making policy. Thus, the farmers threaten like the rubber farmers to take to the streets in protest if they didn’t get government cash assistance.

Prayut responded to the rubber farmers’ threats of protest with subsidies and the rice farmers have every right to expect the same concessions.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Srikcir

[jerojero]

So we shall see if the PM General will invoke populist programs, financially support the farmers. Curious juxtaposition.

Edited July 17, 2015 by jerojero

[halloween]

In May 2015 the Thai government banned rice farmers in 26 provinces from planting their off-season or second rice due to drought.

Farmers who were asked to put off their rice cultivation would be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants. Farmers who put off their rice cultivation this year would not get cash compensation but be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants.

BAAC has prepared 60 billion baht to give out as loans to farmers to help farmers affected by water shortages. The interest rate of 4% will be applied for the first 9 months. However, no interest will be incurred on for the remaining 3 months.

Some farmers' response was to go ahead and plant, then ask for cash compensation for their losses due to water shortages. Lesson learned one would think.

BUT

Prayut has shown he is not above political influence in making policy. Thus, the farmers threaten like the rubber farmers to take to the streets in protest if they didn’t get government cash assistance.

Prayut responded to the rubber farmers’ threats of protest with subsidies and the rice farmers have every right to expect the same concessions.

It seems that you fail to grasp the concept of responsible government which makes decisions based on what is best for the people of the nation, not just one segment. FYI nobody has "every right" to a handout.

[diehard60]

What is the government going to do for the people in the northeast????? Oh I know, I forgot. NOTHING. As they do not care about these people and their lives.

[Kannikapor88]

Farmers are poor people, not hi-so BKK pigs so Farmers not matter ... That is what the Elite here think ... Disgusting people (Village idiots) that run this country - Revolution like in France and Russia would be appropriate ...

[halloween]

What is the government going to do for the people in the northeast????? Oh I know, I forgot. NOTHING. As they do not care about these people and their lives.

[bushwacker]

Is it only me that finds this concept interesting and different. If it rains a lot and the farmers make money then they smile and keep it. If it does not rain and there is no water to grow rice then the government should pay! Why ... because it was the governments fault that there is no rain. Cool plan. Good luck to you.

[robblok]

Is it only me that finds this concept interesting and different. If it rains a lot and the farmers make money then they smile and keep it. If it does not rain and there is no water to grow rice then the government should pay! Why ... because it was the governments fault that there is no rain. Cool plan. Good luck to you.

That is how farmers the world over are.. want want want.. complain complain complain.

But to be fair.. the farmers in Thailand are poor people not people to envy. But one should in the end if farming goes wrong all the time change occupation.

[Cheesekraft]

this has nothing to do with Thai Farmers Bank going completely offline for a few days starting tomorrow, right??

[Jonmarleesco]

The obvious answer is less paddy fields and more diversity. The problem is tunnel vision.

[somo]

For many years farmers were able to re borrow from the government each year within 2 weeks of repaying their existing loan. This year, despite all the nice words many are still waiting after 3 months! This gov. talks the talk but can hardly crawl when it comes to action.

Now they are talking again. This time about repaying farmers private loans but many of these loans are a result of the Gov. not honouring previous commitments.

[smutcakes]

Is it only me that finds this concept interesting and different. If it rains a lot and the farmers make money then they smile and keep it. If it does not rain and there is no water to grow rice then the government should pay! Why ... because it was the governments fault that there is no rain. Cool plan. Good luck to you.

That is how farmers the world over are.. want want want.. complain complain complain.

But to be fair.. the farmers in Thailand are poor people not people to envy. But one should in the end if farming goes wrong all the time change occupation.

Robblok,

I can agree to a certain extent in many countries, but in Thailand and other less developed it is surely different. Most of the farmers here, especially in the NE of the country, come from generations of farmers. Have had little to no education, the children of whom have had limited education, how and what do you realistically expect them to turn to? Its not as if we are talking about 100-200, we are probably talking millions in the same position.

Sadly given their lack of education, i find it difficult to expect them to think to far ahead, or outside the box. Sure a select few might, but the overwhelming majority not. What realistically do you expect them to change their occupations to?

Perhaps many of these water shortages have been caused by the massive expansion of cities in population and wealth south of them? Is the north/NE using a huge amount more water, or are the metropolitan areas now using far more? At what point does the required water down stream get to such an amount where they are not allowed anything? Any why should they forgot their rice crops because of expanding cities below? Its just as much their water as it is the high ranking officials in BKK.

[Thai at Heart]

In May 2015 the Thai government banned rice farmers in 26 provinces from planting their off-season or second rice due to drought.

Farmers who were asked to put off their rice cultivation would be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants. Farmers who put off their rice cultivation this year would not get cash compensation but be assisted by the government in the form of farming cost and promotion to cultivate other low water use plants.

BAAC has prepared 60 billion baht to give out as loans to farmers to help farmers affected by water shortages. The interest rate of 4% will be applied for the first 9 months. However, no interest will be incurred on for the remaining 3 months.

Some farmers' response was to go ahead and plant, then ask for cash compensation for their losses due to water shortages. Lesson learned one would think.

BUT

Prayut has shown he is not above political influence in making policy. Thus, the farmers threaten like the rubber farmers to take to the streets in protest if they didn’t get government cash assistance.

Prayut responded to the rubber farmers’ threats of protest with subsidies and the rice farmers have every right to expect the same concessions.

It seems that you fail to grasp the concept of responsible government which makes decisions based on what is best for the people of the nation, not just one segment. FYI nobody has "every right" to a handout.

Well there are a hell of a lot of farmers of all types. They are "the people".

[Cake Monster]

Why should the Government give money to the farmers ?

The farmers have caused their own self inflicted wounds, because they squandered all the money they have previously been handed for very little work and productivity.

Capital investment in their business,s would have been a more prudent thing to do with the money, rather than spend on a new pickup truck, I-phones, and countless amounts of whisky and beer.