Organic way forward for poor farmers
SMART APPROACH PART OF THAILAND 4.0
>> SUPHAN BURI: Independence, sustainability and non-chemical farming will be the only way for Thai farmers to survive, said Khao Kwan Foundation director Decha Siriphat.
He suggested farmers should first rely on their produce by growing rice and vegetables for their families as a way to save expenses. He also urged consuming fewer pesticides and chemicals.
Mr Decha said farmers currently spend half of their income on food, compared with the rich who spend only about 5%.
Speaking recently at a seminar to seek a way out for Thai farmers in Suphan Buri, Mr Decha expressed concern about the future of local farmers mired in the cycle of debt as they cannot grow rice independently and sustainably, but only to serve capitalist business.
Being unable to adapt, relying heavily on chemicals and a cycle of debt are the key factors why the majority of farmers are unable to maintain their life sustainability despite the government’s attempt to improve their quality of life for Thailand 4.0.
He said many governments in the past have pursued policies favouring companies that sell chemical fertilisers and pesticide. This was reflected in the country’s lack of a quota for importing chemicals for the farming sector, no restrictions on advertising for chemicals and no funds to support organic farming.
These actions do not happen in developed countries, which mostly rely on chemical-free products and farming, he added.
Mr Decha said the price guarantee for rice by previous administrations was not constructive. The guaranteed price was of little help to farmers as the cost of investment was very high, making a small difference between investment and the guaranteed price.
He said the cost of investment for Thai farmers increased every year, higher than that of neighbouring countries, which also had better rice quality.
“In the future, we won’t be able to compete in the international market,” he said.
“I estimate around 99% of farmers will disappear in next five years if they fail to adapt,” he said.
Jon Jandai, a farmer from Yasothon province, suggested organic farming is the key to sustainable development and farmers should be the ones who can have proper adaptation and self-reliance.
Vitoon Panyakul, director of Green Net, said customers are the key factor in driving the change from chemical to organic farming as the power of consumers is strong enough to effect a major change.
He cited the case of successful organic farming in Scandinavian countries, which saw a jump of up to 10% due to strong concerns about health, clean food and the environment. The number of vegetarians in the US is also rising as more people are against cruelty in the livestock industry.
The speakers on Friday attended a ceremony to pay respects to the Rice Goddess. It is a traditional practice among farmers to pay respects to the deity before planting rice in the rainy season.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered his weekly speech on Friday, Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day, saying the government is ready to support farmers so that they can better adapt in line with the government’s policy on smart farming as part of Thailand 4.0.
He said the government has already set up smart farmer training centres nationwide, helping them to use technology to cut costs and boost yields. It also plans to increase the area of organic farms to 1 million rai within three years. Income from organic farming last year was 40 billion baht.