Green rice is the answer

In 1985 the average age of farmers was in Thailand 31 years, now 42 years. Ten years ago, 60 percent of the population worked in rice cultivation, in 2010 this was only 20 percent.

Working in the rice fields puts a lot of strain on someone's back and generates only a small income. The unpredictable weather and low prices on the world market have left countless farmers in poverty. Many have therefore turned their backs on the countryside and sought refuge in the big city.

But there is also a reverse movement. Anurug Ruangrob (45) left his job as a general manager of a software company, Somporn Panyasatienpong (41) quit his job as a freelance reporter for foreign news agencies and programmer Wiroj Suksasunee (31) also gave up his job.

Back to the countryside

Anurug established an orchard in Nong Ree (Chon Buri), an hour's drive from Bangkok, and grows vegetables and rice. Organic rice and green vegetables that is. Somporn joined him after last year's floods. In Bangkok, she grew all her own vegetables because she was concerned about the high concentrations of chemical residues in vegetables sold on the market.

Wiroj, who comes from a wealthy family, had had enough of the hurried city life. He returned to his native land in Sing Buri, 2 hours north of Bangkok, and learned how to grow rice at the Khao Khwan Foundation in Suphan Buri. The foundation opposes the use of chemicals in agriculture. She teaches how to farm organically.

Five hundred city people have already followed a training there. They chose organic because it is safer, costs less and requires much less work compared to mainstream techniques. Some have bought land and started a new life as farmers.

Food supply at risk

The dramatic decline in the number of rice farmers and the aging population raise questions about the country's food supply. Will there come a time when Thailand will have to import rice? When the Asean Economic Community comes into effect in 2015, cheaper rice will enter the Thai market. Can Thai farmers compete? Moreover, the productivity of Thai farmers is low: in 2010 463 kilos per rai compared to 845 kilos in Vietnam.

According to the Khao Khwan Foundation, organic farming is the answer. Costs less and catches better prices. For example, the total cost of rice cultivation with chemicals is 6.085 baht per rai; with organic methods only 1780 baht. Yet many farmers are hesitant to switch because the first two or three harvests are always disappointing. They dare not take the risk.

(Source: Bangkok Post, Spectrum, August 12, 2012)