Farmers asked not to grow rice next off-season

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (TNA) -- Thai farmers are asked to refrain from planting off-season rice in 2016 because of scarcity of rainwater this year. Theerapat Prayoonsit, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, told journalists after a meeting on drought problem on Wednesday that the Royal Irrigation Department told participants at the meeting that the soon ended rainy season failed to give the country enough rainwater nationwide. Four major dams – Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak and Kwae Noi Bamrung Daen – currently together hold between 3,600 – 3,700 million cubic metres which is still insufficient for farmers to grow rice during off-season. Artificial rain making will be conducted before the end of October in the North and Northeast regions and at those four dams, said Mr Theerapat. Water stores at reservoirs nationwide is at about 5,000 million cubic metres, enough for human consumption but not for farming, he said. Mr Theerapat said his ministry would coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on allowing agriculturists to dig more artesian wells from now for use in their plantation. (TNA)