Price surge in off-season rice boosts Thai farming

The president of the Ban Mai Khao Farmers Group has lauded the recent upswing in the price of fresh off-season rice, reaching 10,000 baht (US$280) per tonne. This surge not only serves as an incentive for Thai farmers to uphold the traditional practice of rice cultivation but also ensures a reliable income stream for them.

Suphan Phathom, responsible for overseeing the last remaining rice field in Baan Mai Khao, Phuket, highlighted its significance as a demonstration site. Here, students and interested parties are afforded the opportunity to delve into and comprehend the intricacies of rice cultivation.

The locally cultivated rice, devoid of chemicals or fertilizers, is retailed to local households at approximately 40 to 50 baht per unit. Additionally, the field serves as a venue for special harvest events organized in collaboration with governmental bodies to bolster local engagement.

These events include ceremonial crop plantings to commemorate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day annually, with planting commencing on August 12th and harvesting on December 5th.

Throughout this period, representatives from the Phuket Land Development Station and the Phuket Provincial Agriculture Office conduct soil inspections and offer assistance with any arising issues, as reported by The Phuket News.

Suphan expressed his satisfaction with the surge in rice prices, stating, “This is the most favorable price we’ve seen in years. It brings joy to the farmers, empowering them and fostering confidence in their agricultural pursuits.”

“It’s not cultivated for commercial purposes but rather to preserve the essence of rice farming.”

Furthermore, Suphan stressed the significance of maintaining agricultural product prices at levels conducive to farmers’ sustenance, thereby fortifying the sustainability of Thailand’s agricultural sector.

In a related development, rice prices have skyrocketed to a 15-year peak amid mounting concerns regarding heightened demand and the ramifications of El Niño on supplies. The staple grain, essential to billions in Asia and Africa, witnessed a 2.5% surge last week, reaching US$650 per tonne, marking its highest point since October 2008.