OUR ECONOMIC BACKBONE NEEDS MORE SUPPORT

       Thailand must revamp its agricultural sector to compete with improving productivity in neighbouring countries
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier this week vowed to push forward the Farmers Council Bill, which is intended to improve the wellbeing of farmers. During the session to consider the passage of the bill, Abhisit said the issue should be on the national agenda for it involves millions of Thais who form the economic backbone of the country.
       Although Thailand is an agriculture-based country, most of our farmers are heavily indebted. Many don't own the land upon which they work. Past governments have systematically failed to support farmers, and Thailand does not have a comprehensive agricultural development plan to provide sustainable growth in this sector in the future.
       These shortcomings should not be allowed to continue. Thai farmers should be better equipped to compete with their counterparts from neighbouring countries after Asean member countries open up agricultural markets including rice, tapioca and corn from 2010. Thai farmers should be able to effectively improve their yields per rai in order to increase overall productivity. In terms of production, Vietnamese farmers are now catching up with Thai farmers very quickly, due largely to Thailand's failure to improve in this regard.
       Agriculture is a vital sector of the economy that many countries strive to improve in order to ensure their food security. Thailand has exploited its natural advantages, such as its rich soil and climate, for centuries. However, these advantages may not last forever, and we will not always be alone in benefiting from geographical providence.
       The Farmers Council Bill should play a role in empowering farmers by ensuring their rights to receive proper assistance so they can continue with the incentive to work the land. One particular area of importance is that farmers should gain access to proper irrigation systems.
       Investors from some countries are anxious to own farmland in Thailand because they realise the significance of the sector. Unfortunately, some Thais have failed to realise the value of our natural resources. Some have sold land plots to foreigners through proxy ownership.
       The proposed new law should also help ensure legitimise ownership of land, and will give farmers a channel to voice their opinions at the national level.
       The bill should also provide for the formation of institutions to assist farmers, such as a micro-financing system. Otherwise, many farmers will continue to borrow money from unscrupulous lenders who charge extremely high interest rates.
       If there is no shake-up of the system as it is at present, Thai farmers will remain caught in a trap of relying on Mother Nature and crooked politicians who exploit farmers' needs for their own short-term political gain. And they will have no other choice than to come out to block the roads every time they cannot sell their produce at a good price.