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Thailand vows to bolster organic rice farmers
Jul. 5, 2013
YASOTHON- Thailand : Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has vowed to bolster organic jasmine rice farming in Yasothon by ensuring a steady water supply and improving transportation.
The premier said she was impressed by the local farmers' successful attempt to grow organic jasmine rice."The government will consider what it can do to help farmers here," Ms Yingluck said during her visit to Ban Bak Ruea in Maha Chana Chai district.
Yasothon is among northeastern provinces which face regular water shortages. Ban Bak Ruea village has not been able to produce enough rice to satisfy export demand. Ban Bak Ruea is a village known for its organic jasmine rice. The rice is free of chemicals and needs healthy soil and an abundance of water.
The government has to do its homework to find ways to connect drought-stricken areas in Yasothon to water supplies from river basins, Ms Yingluck said.
Local officials say the village sends 400 tonnes of organic rice for milling each year but the local farmers had suffered a loss of 1.2 million baht.
The village attempted to reduce its losses by processing rice into rice bran oil and making organic fertilizer.
The farmers need more help if they want to boost their crop sales, especially to countries which want to buy chemical-free rice, the premier said.
The government's 2-trillion-baht infrastructure scheme emphasises large-scale transport improvements nationwide and could help the farmers, Ms Yingluck said.
"A good transport system is needed to carry the rice to Laem Chabang for shipping," she said, referring to the country's major port in Chon Buri.
The government would consider how to improve and lower the cost of rice transport to help the farmers move their product to the world market, she added.
Source: Bangkok Post
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