Bangkok: Farmers are requesting government support for "organic chemical fertilizers," pointing out that high fertilizer prices, low rice prices, and water shortages continue to create a severe crisis. Mr. Pramote Charoensilp, President of the Thai Farmers Association, revealed on the "Share the News" program on MCOT News FM 100.5 that Thai farmers are currently facing several serious problems, including expensive fertilizer, insufficient water resources, and low rice prices. In particular, "fertilizer" and "rice prices" are considered the biggest problems causing distress to farmers nationwide.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pramote stated that the government's policy on organic bio-fertilizers is not a bad idea, but organic fertilizers are only for soil improvement, not for providing the desired yield for rice plants. He explained that farmers have consistently used chemical fertilizers, and therefore he still wants the government to continue supporting chemical fertilizers or to adopt a mixed "chemical-organic" approach, using 30% organic and 70% chemical fertilizers, which he believes is a realistic solution for rice farmers to adapt to.
It is acknowledged that most farmers are not ready for an immediate switch to entirely organic fertilizers, and it could negatively impact yields. Therefore, a gradual transition is advisable. At the same time, information from Mr. Suriya, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, indicates that some fertilizers are facing transportation challenges by sea, preventing imports and further increasing farmers' concerns about production costs.
Mr. Pramote stated that the Thai Farmers' Association has already proposed a "organic-chemical" approach to the government because they believe that a purely organic approach would make it difficult for farmers to continue. Furthermore, the policy of distributing organic fertilizers was implemented without consulting the Farmers' Association, despite the fact that soil and water conditions vary across different regions-central, northern, northeastern, and eastern Thailand.
Furthermore, it reflects the fact that if Thailand is to move towards sustainable agriculture in the long term, it must consider both the global situation and production costs, as fertilizers still have to be imported from abroad, as well as the impact of a potentially prolonged war. Therefore, it is proposed to start the transition gradually with a 70-30 mixing formula.
Mr. Pramote also urged the government to better understand the problems of farmers, proposing 5-6 key demands related to water resources, rice seeds, fertilizer, fuel, and rice prices. He specifically emphasized the need for equitable water allocation for farmers nationwide.
Regarding the public's question of whether Thai farmers still lack understanding of sustainable agriculture, Mr. Pramote believes there should be more concrete training in organic farming. He argues that farmers are currently struggling to make ends meet and need to adapt to continue their livelihoods. All of these suggestions are considered short-term solutions to the current crisis.