farmers

  • Thailand NewsFarmers guard crops from wild elephants near Thap Lan Park

    Farmers guard crops from wild elephants near Thap Lan Park

    Farmers near Thap Lan National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima are facing a challenging new year as they work tirelessly to protect their crops from wild elephants. As the rest of the nation celebrates, around 40 farmers in tambon Lampiek, Khon Buri district, are taking turns to guard their fields against the rampaging elephants. A recent incident saw elephants damaging 40…

  • Thailand NewsGrain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race

    Grain of truth: Thailand trails Asia in rice yield race

    Thailand’s rice yields are significantly lower than other major Asian rice producers, according to Anon Nonsee, Deputy Director General of the Department of Rice. The average rice yield in Thailand is about 400 to 500 kilogrammes per rai (0.16 hectares), far below Vietnam’s 1,000 kilogrammes per rai and China’s 1,000 to 1,200 kilogrammes per rai. While some Thai rice varieties…

  • Thailand NewsSevere drought in Nakhon Ratchasima threatens rice farmers

    Severe drought in Nakhon Ratchasima threatens rice farmers

    Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe drought crisis, with newly sown rice fields wilting due to prolonged dry spells. The irrigation department is urgently pumping water to prevent damage to over 1,000 rai of rice seedlings. The significant drought is particularly felt in the Phimai district. The water allocation officials from the Thung Samrit Irrigation Project, Phimai district, have accelerated efforts…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to send 1,200 farm workers to Israel despite conflict

    Thailand to send 1,200 farm workers to Israel despite conflict

    In an effort to boost collaborative efforts between the two nations, Thailand’s Department of Employment will send 1,200 workers to Israel, following an agreement with the nation to accommodate 5,000 Thai workers between June and December. Department of Employment Director-General Somchai Morakotsriwan announced the decision yesterday, June 13, lifting the moratorium on sending Thai workers to Israel despite the ongoing…

  • Business NewsLay’s chips in: PepsiCo to grow revenue by 15% for Thai farmers

    Lay’s chips in: PepsiCo to grow revenue by 15% for Thai farmers

    Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co (PepsiCo), the producer and distributor of Lay’s potato chips, has intensified efforts to boost agricultural productivity among its 5,800 contract farmers, aiming to increase revenue by 15% for 35% of these farmers by 2030. General Manager of Indochina Foods and Chief Commercial Officer for Asia-Pacific, Sudipto Mozumdar highlighted the challenges posed by climate change and rising…

  • Thailand NewsAgriculture department cracks down on substandard fertilisers

    Agriculture department cracks down on substandard fertilisers

    The Department of Agriculture instructed inspectors to closely monitor shops selling fertilisers and chemicals to prevent the distribution of substandard products to farmers and the general public. Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Raphiphat Chandrasrivongs revealed that inspectors from the Plant and Agricultural Materials Control Division are conducting inspections across various regions to ensure compliance. Following directives from the Minister…

  • Thailand NewsCracking news: Egg prices to soar due to extreme weather

    Cracking news: Egg prices to soar due to extreme weather

    As announced by the Thai Cooperative Network for Chicken Egg Producers, egg prices are set to rise by 20 satangs per egg tomorrow, citing the extreme weather as the reason for the increase. The farm price for eggs will be 4 baht each, marking an increase of 6 baht per tray. The members of the network include producers from Chachoengsao,…

  • Thailand NewsThai betel nut exports hit by India tariffs and Myanmar conflict

    Thai betel nut exports hit by India tariffs and Myanmar conflict

    Thai betel nut exporters are currently facing significant challenges due to tariff barriers imposed by India and the ongoing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and rebel forces. Betel nuts, also known as areca nuts, are widely chewed for their stimulating effects across many Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. However, the nuts are classified as a…

  • Thailand NewsThai durian dismay: Growers feeling ‘fruit-ile’ as production plummets

    Thai durian dismay: Growers feeling ‘fruit-ile’ as production plummets

    The revered Nonthaburi durian, a cherished variety of Thailand’s king of fruits, has witnessed a drastic production decline to just 10% compared to the previous year, plunging growers into a state of crisis. This significant drop is attributed to the rapidly changing and prolonged hot weather conditions affecting the country. The scarcity has driven up the prices of this year’s…

  • Business NewsBAAC to back 50,000 tech-savvy farmers with 55 billion baht

    BAAC to back 50,000 tech-savvy farmers with 55 billion baht

    The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), a state-owned entity, outlined an ambitious plan to foster a new breed of technologically adept farmers. The bank intends to support 50,000 young, smart farmers over the next five years, offering low-interest loans that total 55 billion baht (US$1.5 billion). BAAC president, Chatchai Sirilai, announced the project’s key objective following a memorandum…

  • Business NewsThailand’s internal trade dept to cut pig production for price stability

    Thailand’s internal trade dept to cut pig production for price stability

    The Internal Trade Department is looking to partner with the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand, with a plan to cut pig production down to an average of 8,000 piglets each day. This action aims to stabilise the price for livestock producers across the country. According to the director-general of the Internal Trade Department,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s agriculture ministry seeks triple budget increase to boost farmer income

    Thailand’s agriculture ministry seeks triple budget increase to boost farmer income

    A request for a substantial budget increase to 411 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year has been put forward by Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The proposed budget, which is over three times larger than the previous year’s allocation, aims to triple the income of farmers within the next four years. Chantanon Wannakejohn, serving as the Secretary-General to…

  • Thailand NewsThai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains

    Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains

    Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…

  • Thailand NewsThai community enterprise signs 100 million baht deal for Korat’s Golden Bananas export to Japan

    Thai community enterprise signs 100 million baht deal for Korat’s Golden Bananas export to Japan

    A landmark deal worth 100 million baht has been signed between a Japanese buyer and a Thai community enterprise group for the purchase of 5,000 tonnes of Korat’s Golden Bananas. This first-ever export deal, set to greatly benefit local farmers, has been hailed for its potential to open new markets for Thai growers. The contract was signed at the Lamtakong…

  • Thailand NewsLam Chae reservoir: Halting off-season rice cultivation for water relief

    Lam Chae reservoir: Halting off-season rice cultivation for water relief

    The water crisis at Lam Chae reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima has eased, with local authorities rushing to reserve water for the upcoming dry season. They have ceased water release and urged local farmers to halt off-season rice cultivation due to the reservoir’s water level being just half of its capacity. Lam Chae reservoir in Khro Buri district, Nakhon Ratchasima, is…

  • Thailand NewsNortheast Thailand: Monsoon season wrecks havoc on paddy fields, farmers scramble

    Northeast Thailand: Monsoon season wrecks havoc on paddy fields, farmers scramble

    A dramatic shift in weather patterns during the late monsoon season has wreaked havoc on the paddy fields in the Nakhon Ratchasima province. Heavy rainfall coupled with strong winds, which are typical of the monsoon season in Thailand, has resulted in the collapse of rice crops, causing significant damage to farmers in the Khorat Plateau region. The extreme conditions have…

  • Business NewsDebt moratorium to benefit 7 million farmers and SMEs

    Debt moratorium to benefit 7 million farmers and SMEs

    Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that no more than seven million farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will qualify for the initial phase of the debt moratorium. The breakdown of this figure is expected to be around four million small-scale farmers and three million SMEs. The Deputy Finance Minister refrained from providing specifics on the scope and limit…

  • Thailand NewsThai government plans central budget use for farmers’ debt relief

    Thai government plans central budget use for farmers’ debt relief

    The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to utilise the central budget to support farmers’ debt relief in case next year’s budget is delayed. The ministry is aligning its plans with the government’s policies, especially Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s strategy of reducing production costs. In an interview before announcing the policy, Deputy Ministers of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chaiya Phromma stated that…

  • World NewsBikini-clad women helping Bali farmers sparks online controversy

    Bikini-clad women helping Bali farmers sparks online controversy

    In a recent incident, a viral video featuring six female tourists in bikinis assisting local farmers in Bali sparked debate among netizens, with many questioning their motives. The footage and accompanying discourse centred on the appropriateness of their attire and the apparent disruption of local work. This bikini controversy generated extensive attention on social media platforms. According to Daily Mail,…

  • South Thailand NewsSurat Thani storm leaves durian farmers with over 6 million baht loss

    Surat Thani storm leaves durian farmers with over 6 million baht loss

    Durian farmers in Surat Thani province are suffering immense losses as the storm knocked down more than 50 tonnes of unripe fruit, resulting in a financial setback of over 6 million baht (US$173,310). Agricultural officials assessed the damage in two affected sub-districts of Ban Na San district, Lamphun and Phoem Phun Sap sub-districts, with assistance required for the devastated farmers.…

  • Northern Thailand NewsGive your lover shallots this Valentine’s Day, suggests PM Prayut

    Give your lover shallots this Valentine’s Day, suggests PM Prayut

    The smell of red onion is in the air this Valentine’s Day in Thailand as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invites the public to send shallots to their lover instead of a red rose this year. PM Prayut is pushing shallots as a symbol of love this V-day to support shallot farmers in Srisaket province in northeast Thailand. The shallots grown…

  • Northern Thailand NewsPrices plummet on cannabis, farmers ask for regulation

    Prices plummet on cannabis, farmers ask for regulation

    Who could have seen it coming? With the decriminalisation and deregulation of cannabis, prices have plummeted and farmers are asking for price regulation from the government. Now people can grow the plant on their own and sell the crops. The original farmers with government contracts have seen an 80% to 90% reduction in the value of their crops. In many…

  • Thailand NewsThailand cold spell kills 200 chickens in Chaiyaphum

    Thailand cold spell kills 200 chickens in Chaiyaphum

    A poultry farm in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum reported that over 200 chickens died after the temperature dropped to 17 degrees Celsius earlier this week. The Department of Livestock Development reported that sudden changes in weather patterns are affecting the animal husbandry sector in Thailand. Chickens can tolerate cold temperatures below freezing, but sudden changes in temperature can affect…

  • Thailand NewsFarmers sleep on the streets of Bangkok for 42 days calling for action on debt

    Farmers sleep on the streets of Bangkok for 42 days calling for action on debt

    Farmers from all over Thailand are sleeping under a busy expressway in Bangkok to call on the government to solve the problem of farmers’ debt. So far, the protestors have slept on the streets for 42 nights. The farmers request that their debt be transferred from central government banks, which charge high interest rates, to the Farmers’ Rehabilitation and Development…

  • Thailand NewsFarmers dress as superheroes to get more customers after drop in sales during pandemic

    Farmers dress as superheroes to get more customers after drop in sales during pandemic

    A Thai sugarcane farmer in Prachin Buri and his brother-in-law are dressing up as Batman and Superman to attract more customers. Sales had dropped since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the two needed a way to bring them back up. The two men sell sugarcane juice every day between 1pm and 3pm at the intersection on Route 359 in Krabin Buri,…

  • Thailand NewsAlleged Bengal tiger poachers must remove their homes from national park

    Alleged Bengal tiger poachers must remove their homes from national park

    Yesterday, rangers at Khao Laem national park in Kanchanaburi ordered the removal of four homes, belonging to five people suspected of hunting and killing two endangered Bengal tigers last week. The suspects and their families, or anyone else currently living in the homes, must leave within 30 days. Those who don’t comply will be charged with violating the National Park…

  • Thailand NewsDemand for crocodile meat doubles following rise in pork prices

    Demand for crocodile meat doubles following rise in pork prices

    The number of crocodiles slaughtered for meat each month has doubled to 20,000 following the spike in prices for pork. This trend is giving hope to crocodile farmers who have lost business due to the pandemic, said Yosapong Temsiripong, president of the Thai Crocodile Farmer Association. Due to the massive drop in tourism, he said, farmers have been much less…

  • Thailand NewsGovernment wants 76 billion baht to support rice farmers

    Government wants 76 billion baht to support rice farmers

    The Finance Ministry has announced a plan to use a 76 billion baht package to support Thai rice farmers. The ministry is working with the Budget Bureau to create a scheme that ensures a guaranteed income for the farmers, which would offer some cushion against the unpredictable issues that plague farming such as floods, droughts and pestilence. There is already…

  • World NewsBangkok fiddles whilst Chiang Mai burns – who’s behind the annual smoke season?

    Bangkok fiddles whilst Chiang Mai burns – who’s behind the annual smoke season?

    OPINION In the December 2020 outbreak of Covid in the seafood markets along the coast of Samut Sakhon Burmese migrant workers, many of them entering Thailand illegally, bore the brunt of the blame. The Thai media reported widely that it was the fault of the illegal migrants. But the source of the migrants, trafficking gangs working for larger corporations to…

  • Thailand NewsThai farmers warned of hemp – growing scams

    Thai farmers warned of hemp – growing scams

    Thai farmers are being warned of hemp – growing scams after the FDA says some farmers may be approached to grow without gaining permission to import hemp seeds yet. The possible scams have farmers fearing they may be cheated after some have reportedly already started setting up networks in other provinces in preparation to start new enterprises. According to the…