Thai academic suggests reform of agricultural product structure

[webfact]

Academic suggests reform of agricultural product structure

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce collaborates with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce to organize a seminar on agricultural product businesses.

Director of the Center for International Trade Studies of the UTCC Aat Pisanwanich said an average export value of four Thai economic crops, including rice, Para rubber, oil palm and cassava would likely decrease due to lower yield per Rai and higher competition with the neighboring countries. He therefore suggested that Thailand had to reform its agricultural product structure by processing produce for the industrial sector and food industry. This would result in a 30% increase in the export value of the four economic crops, said the director

The director also suggested zoning of farmland and cancellation of the planted areas with low yield per Rai. As for Para rubber, he suggested that Thailand work with China in setting Para rubber prices in the global market since they were the world’s top producer and importer respectively.

Secretary-General of the Thai Oil Palm and Palm Oil Association Wiwan Boonyapratheeprat said palm oil is a promising oil-bearing crop in the global market since it was a perennial plant which yielded continuously.


-- NNT 2016-05-27

[Speedo1968]

A very confusing worded statement ....

Why not ask the question "What do they mean by lower yields per rai ?"

Do they mean that yields of these crops give a lower return on investment ?

Do they mean that other countries can produce these crops of a better quality and cheaper ?

Do they mean that yields have declined due to poor management and over exploitation of the land ? Continuous growing of the same two alternate rotation crops sugar cane and cassava should have stopped long ago.

"He therefore suggested that Thailand had to reform its agricultural product structure by processing produce for the industrial sector and food industry."

First they say that cassava production would likely decrease - just look south of Khon Kaen at the new CP animal feed mill - what are they growing more of in the fields nearby ( no doubt CP purchased / obtained / rented ? land ) - why cassava of course. You eat more meat and drink more milk then you need more cassava.

Perhaps the sugar tax will reduce the amount of land used for sugar cane production ( sic ).

Thailand is rapidly becoming a mono-culture country.

Why not try growing manioc or yellow cassava as they do in South America. That can be eaten by the people not the animals.

Why not have government agricultural departments set up useful workshops about water management ( drip irrigation / hydroponics ), soil conservation, alternate crop production ? Ok, so I know the answer to that one !