Thai academic proposes sustainable solutions to rubber price drop

[webfact]

Academic proposes sustainable solutions to rubber price drop

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - An academic have suggested that the government decrease Para rubber growing areas and promote other economic crops in an effort to tackle the problem of rubber price drop in a sustainable manner.

Lecturer of the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, Pracha Khunthamdi on Monday presented the results of a study on Thailand’s Para rubber crisis. The study found that Thailand had the second largest rubber plantation in the world but it produced rubber the most, or around 4.4 million tons. There were as many as 920,000 rubber households in Thailand.

Since 2012, Thailand’s rubber production, exports and stocks have increased continuously. This increase and the plunging global oil price led to the rubber price drop in Thailand, the research found.

The academic also suggested that the government promote research and development for rubber more and increase domestic consumption. The government should promote processed rubber for the production of high-technological products such as rubber products for aircraft, he added.


-- NNT 2016-02-16

[BigBadGeordie]

Groundbreaking research.

Too much rubber, too little demand = grow other crops.

Oil price down = rubber price down.

Alternative use, added value products.

Wonder how long this took the lecturer to research.

I have no doubt he has a Masters Degree in Stating the Bloody Obvious!

[Familyaffairs]

Ensuring all cars in Thailand are rubber-clad, will have the following benefits;

1. Reduce the rubber pile

2. Reduce accidents, as cars will bounce off each other

3. Decrease in insurance premiums

4. Locals can now 'learn' to drive in bumper cars, and practive their offensive driving mindset

5. Close down all driving test centers, given that they have never contributed anything to road safety

[Pib]

Start constructing buildings with rubber instead of concrete...the buildings will become earthquake proof and merely shake a little during any earthquake. This will greatly increase the demand for and price of rubber. Gosh, I'm a genius.

But now I need to figure out how to compensate the concrete farmers...but hey, I'm a genius and will figure it out. I may even team-up with the academic in the OP to figure it out....two geniuses should be able to solve any problem.

[eliotness]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

[SoilSpoil]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

Quite simple: grow premium crops, organic rice and organic fruits and veggies and supply the world. Tropical countries are blessed with the climate when it comes to agriculture.

[Srikcir]

Academic solutions are obvious but not politically palatable now for the Prayut regime that is trying to garner public support for the Meechai draft constitution and run for office in the next election.

Instead Prayut has used short-term financial gifts to keep farmers happy until the Junta's power is guaranteed beyond elections. Politics and sustainable solutions are like oil and water. You may see them together but they don't mix well.

[eliotness]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

Quite simple: grow premium crops, organic rice and organic fruits and veggies and supply the world. Tropical countries are blessed with the climate when it comes to agriculture.

If only life was so simple ! Do you really think most of the world is prepared to pay premium prices for organic fruit and veg ? and that there will be an ever increasing market ? Bottom line for the international consumer is price, pure and simple. It's easy being "environmentally friendly" if you're rich, not so if you are only just surviving.

Also, organic produce doesn't travel well, has a much reduced shelf life and is prone to infestation. Organic foods are best when sold on local markets. Furthermore to sell "organic produce" overseas there would need to be registration of farms, regular checks undertaken and all that to comply with international standards. Just ain't going to happen is it ?

[clockman]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

Quite simple: grow premium crops, organic rice and organic fruits and veggies and supply the world. Tropical countries are blessed with the climate when it comes to agriculture.

But where will Monsanto sell there poison. And which hiso controls the import of this poison?

[jerojero]

As if the country's leaders actually will listen to an academic. Elite of the country have all the answers and they remain firmly in charge, politically and economically. And nicely isolated from the 60 million commoners.

[thaiguzzi]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

Quite simple: grow premium crops, organic rice and organic fruits and veggies and supply the world. Tropical countries are blessed with the climate when it comes to agriculture.

Blessed with a climate - yeah, what happens when there is not enough water, or the soil is poor. There is a reason the NE is the least affluent area of Thailand, and most of it is not mother nature, but decades of plundering and under funding from.......

[coulson]

Ensuring all cars in Thailand are rubber-clad, will have the following benefits;

1. Reduce the rubber pile

2. Reduce accidents, as cars will bounce off each other

3. Decrease in insurance premiums

4. Locals can now 'learn' to drive in bumper cars, and practive their offensive driving mindset

5. Close down all driving test centers, given that they have never contributed anything to road safety

I love how one actual proposal was to add more cycle lanes with the excess......because having more cyclists on the road would be safer.

I'm with you.....bumper cars would save lives around here.

[SoFarAndNear]

And in the end the solution is it will be subsidized... they will just find a different word for it...

[SoilSpoil]

When you have the majority of the population relying on agriculture as a living, then there will always be a problem. Change from rubber to what ? The markets in every town are well stocked with fruit and veg, so what can farmers grow that local and international consumers want ??? The various governments have dug a big hole for the country, to get out of which will take inspired leadership, which just ain't going to happen any time soon.

Quite simple: grow premium crops, organic rice and organic fruits and veggies and supply the world. Tropical countries are blessed with the climate when it comes to agriculture.

If only life was so simple ! Do you really think most of the world is prepared to pay premium prices for organic fruit and veg ? and that there will be an ever increasing market ? Bottom line for the international consumer is price, pure and simple. It's easy being "environmentally friendly" if you're rich, not so if you are only just surviving.

Also, organic produce doesn't travel well, has a much reduced shelf life and is prone to infestation. Organic foods are best when sold on local markets. Furthermore to sell "organic produce" overseas there would need to be registration of farms, regular checks undertaken and all that to comply with international standards. Just ain't going to happen is it ?

Your right of course, I was just dreaming away. Tax the polluters and subsidize (or facilitate) those who can supply healthy foods. Should be the way to go if it wasn't for corporate greed and corruption.

[eliotness]

All the time we hear about "sustainable economics" for Thailand. Good idea, but the words have no meaning without the right actions.

I see very little usage of animal waste (aka shit) as organic fertiliser or methane generator. Plastic bags could be reprocessed into decking and outdoor furniture. Despite a potential resale value much waste is not separated. There is widespread use of chemicals on farms with hormone treatment, pesticides and herbicides being regularly used huge amounts. Solar and wind power, although of limited value should nevertheless be a government project to encourage its expansion, if necessary subsidise it ! Could go on and on, sorry for the rant folks but when I hear "sustainable" here I cringe.