Thai Rice Farmers Facing Challenges from Climate Change and Its Impact on Rice Crops
Rice is the lifeblood for millions of Thai farmers and a critical crop for national food security. However, accelerating climate change is posing escalating risks that could devastate the agricultural sector and Thailand's rice production capabilities.
Recent Climate Impacts
In 2019, Thailand experienced its lowest rainfall levels in a decade, triggering severe water shortages. The vital Mekong River fell to record low levels, severely impacting rice cultivation. While increased precipitation in 2021 improved overall yields, widespread regional damage still occurred.
This photo showcases the river at its fullest.
For generations, Thai rice farmers have relied on observing weather patterns and intuition to determine optimal planting times. But these long-honoured practices are becoming unreliable as climate conditions fluctuate wildly.
Rising Risks and Inequality
Across Thailand's 8.1 million agricultural households, only 26% have access to irrigation systems. Most are ageing small farmers with limited education and technology adoption. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these inequalities.
Research by Kasetsart University's Witsanu Attavanich shows that under different climate scenarios, irrigated areas could see increased rice yields, while rainfed regions face drastic declines. Even in a moderate scenario, Thailand's overall rice production could drop over 10% by mid-century, creating severe food insecurity risks.
Challenges in the Global Market
Thailand exports rice varieties like white, fragrant, and parboiled to countries worldwide. However, it has lost significant market share over the past decade to competitors like Vietnam, which can develop cheaper aromatic rice varieties more rapidly. The Thailand Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) notes consumers demand new soft-textured options, which Thailand has been slow to produce, hindering competitiveness.
Finding Solutions
While climate change mitigation and water infrastructure investment are crucial long-term needs, Witsanu has identified more immediate solutions to help farmers adapt:
Forecasting and Risk Mitigation: The sector lacks proper forecasting, data sharing, and risk management practices. Improving these is critical.
Tech Adoption: Encouraging water-saving agricultural technology and diversifying into less thirsty, high-value crops can boost resilience.
Restructuring Aid: Rather than unconditional payouts after losses, government aid restructuring incentivizes sustainable farming practices.
As climate change impacts intensify annually, Thailand's prized rice production is under grave threat. Implementing adaptive strategies while pursuing mitigation efforts offers the best path to preserving this economic pillar and food staple.
You can read more about the challenges and opportunities facing Asia's sustainable recovery in our article, Sustainable Recovery from the Pandemic Is Crucial for Asia to Increase Competitiveness.
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