Drought hits farmers in Buri Ram

BURIRAM, Feb 19 (TNA) - Although summer season has not yet started, farmers in the northeastern province of Buri Ram have decided to suspend an off-season rice farming due to drought prevailing in the province. Water level in the Moon River which passes Buri Ram’s Satuk district has receded sharply, forcing farmers to cancel off-season rice cultivation for the third consecutive year. Also, the local authorities has urged farmers not to pump water from the river for farming purposes because water is needed for people consumption and sufficient water is necessary during the upcoming summer. Farmers in 10 villagers in Satuk district used to grow more than 5,000 rai in the past years. They are requesting concerned government agencies to construct dykes in the area to store water for farming and fish raising. (TNA)