Theerayuth warns of high-tech rice corruption threat

A farmer in Chai Nat’s Sankhaburi district prepares land for growing crops. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

A government push to equip rice farmers with new technology could face a bumpy road ahead, a prominent critic said on Sunday.

Theerayuth Boonmee, the coordinator of the New Rice Culture Network, warned that the government's attempt to give farmers high-tech ways to improve and add value to their crops could fall upon stony ground.

Most farmers would have problems adopting advanced technology, leading to higher production costs, he told a seminar entitled “Look Forward, Direction of Sustainable Agriculture” organised by the Thai Journalists Association.

Mr Theerayuth, who works for the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, also warned of possible corruption in the purchase of farming technology.

The New Rice Culture Network was set up to promote the quality of local grains in order to improve farmers' living standards.

Mr Theeryuth supported the economic sufficiency principle of King Bhumibol, saying farmers would be better off if they followed the late King's advice on ending single-crop plantation.

“The King Rama IX’s economic sufficiency theory is completely different from populist policies, as it is a basis to create security, quality and efficiency for the country. But we have not seen the government make strong efforts to tread the sustainable path,” he said.

He urged the government to follow the global trend on healthy food by promoting more organic rice production and reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals in the agricultural sector.

Prapas Pingthoptheng, director of the Social Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University, agreed that organic farming would be the best direction for farmers.

The country has 110 million rai of rice paddies, but less than 1% is used for organic production, according to the institute.

Kim-ang Pongnarai, the coordinator of the Farmer Network of Thailand, called on the government to tackle farmers' huge debt burden, saying it was a stumbling block in any attempt to change the way they grow rice.