Thailand’s rice output may fall 6% due to El Nino

Thailand’s rice output this year may drop by as much as 6% to 25.1 - 25.6 million tonnes due to impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) forecast.
Thailand’s rice output may fall 6% due to El Nino ảnh 1Farmers harvest rice in Roi Et province of Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand’s riceoutput this year may drop by as much as 6% to 25.1 - 25.6 million tonnes due toimpacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) forecast.

KRC predicted that the country’s total riceproduction this year will be between 32.7 and 33.2 million tonnes, includingabout 7.6 million tonnes from the second crop, which will be enough fordomestic consumption and export.

However, the anticipated rice output may be muchlower if the drought lingers and causes more damage to the crops, it warned.

The centre said if the El Nino phenomenon thisyear is further prolonged, it will cause a substantial drop in water levels innumerous reservoirs, affecting both main and second-crop cultivation next year.

KRC called on the agencies concerned to adjusttheir water management plans immediately to ensure that there is sufficientwater for cultivation and other purposes.

Meanwhile, the Royal IrrigationDepartment of Thailand is urging farmers in the Chao Phraya River basin tosuspend the second-crop cultivation.

Due to the attractive export price and global demandfor Thai rice, many farmers still want to plant their second crop despite therisk of a water shortage, according to KRC./.

VNA

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