Authorities instead suggested farmers switch to drought-tolerant crops such as tomato, sweet corn, pumpkin, watermelon and peanut as they can yield
better profits.
Deputy director-general of the Departmentof Agricultural Extension Krongsak Songraksa said climate change and a moderateiteration of the El Nino phenomenon have affected Thailand, resulting in alower water supply in recent years.
A newly adapted water distribution plan isnow in place to support plantations where crops have not been harvested, hesaid.
According to him, around 12.6 billion cubic metres (51%) of the nation's watersupply has been allocated this year. Thus, the water supply may not besufficient for the second-crop farming of off-season rice.
He said off-season rice requires 1.5 billioncubic metres of water per rai (1 rai = 0.16 hectare), while a drought-tolerantcrop only needs 30% to 70% as much./.
