Thai rice farmers use agrochemicals to improve productivity

Date:11-09-2009

Rice is synonymous with life in Thailand, which is the worlds biggest exporter of the staple grain and where 15 million people are rice farmers.

In Thailand, farmers treat rice seed with the utmost respect and they said the way they know the rice is ready for harvest is when the rice plant is bending low, showing respect back to the farmer.

But an expected spike in world population and fears surrounding global food security mean that now, more than ever, crop failure is not an option.

Untreated rice is vulnerable to disease, pests and weeds. Companies like Syngenta are forming partnerships with governments like Thailands.

State-of-the-art insecticides, herbicides and seed treatments ensure profitable and viable crops. They are also not much more expensive than what farmers are used to buying.

Using technology to improve on current practices could see yield increase by up to 25 per cent.

Chatree Radomlek, rice farmer, said: "The results are fast and the harvest has increased to more than twice a year with this good technology. The faster the process is, the higher is the productivity of farmers."

Farmers said the latest methods can also help to ensure a high quality crop.

Parveen Kathuria, country head, Thailand, Syngenta Seeds, said: "We respect peoples choice when they go for organic farming. However, the latest technology can really help farmers and the entire value chain to enhance productivity. Today, one of the biggest issues we have is food security."