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Published on April 17, 2008

The government should set a priority on how to reform the farming sector amidst the global campaign to avert the concerns from food shortages in certain regions and growing concerns over environmental problems. The move can't come too soon. Earlier this week, the World Bank and most UN bodies called for reform of world farming practices to avert shortages of farm produce.

Thailand, as a major farm exporting and production nation, should consider the global campaign in its future farming plan. In addition, the government should seize the opportunity to help farmers improve their production process and yields.

Ampon Kittiampon, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said that Thailand has the potential to develop its farming sector. The country has abundant resources but these have not been efficiently utilised.

Thai farmers focus on production. But the government should assist them to improve other aspects such as the efficient use of natural resources and the sustainability of production over the long term.

Apart from assisting farmers to improve their production technology, the government should consider other factors that most affect the farming sector such as marketing, unpredictable weather and the nature of the farming business, which often sees wide price fluctuations.

The government should ensure that farmers would be able to receive the benefit from the upward trend in farm prices because they are the backbone of the country to ensure food security for the nation.

As it turns out however, a number of farmers have notbenefited from the rising trend of rice prices on world markets. Most farmers only lease agricultural land and have to pay high charges.

Also, they have the additional burden of buying expensive fertiliser. To do this, many of them have had to obtain loans from outside the banking system where they are subject to exorbitant interest charges by loan sharks.

Some farmers do not know how to manage their money properly and even though their income has risen, they have not spent the money wisely and their debts rose as a consequence.

Apart from assisting farmers, the government should also focus on other related areas such as the transportation of farm goods and building an effective irrigation system. Without this, farmers' only hope to increase production will be by praying for good weather.

To respond to growing concern that the planting of crops for bio-fuel production may come at the expense of the world's effort to ensure food supplies, the government should lay down plans to set aside agricultural areas for food and alternative energy production. This would help experts to predict long-term farm production to ensure the sustainable supply of food crops.

These are challenges for the government to provide the necessary assistance to ensure that farmers would be able to stand on their own. The recent moves by the international community should serve as a signal to the government to act now.

The Nation