“It is the best price in many years. We are happy for the farmers that the price of rice has increased. This will give our fellow farmers more strength and it gives confidence in continuing farming and agricultural careers,” Mr Suphan said.
“Maintaining the price of agricultural products at prices that farmers can accept will make the Thai agricultural sector more sustainable,” he added.
Mr Suphan oversees the rice field in Baan Mai Khao, which is the last rice field in Phuket.
The rice field, or paddy, operates as a demonstration rice field, he explained. “The rice field provides an opportunity for students or those interested to come and visit,” he said.
“It [the field] is not planted to sell [produce] to the market. It is farmed to preserve the practice of growing rice,” Mr Suphan said.
“The rice grown here is sold to local households at about B40-50. The price is because we do not use chemicals or fertiliser,” he added.
“We work with government agencies to hold activities to create participation by people in the area, such as planting a special harvest to commemorate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day each year. We begin planting on Aug 12 and will harvest on Dec 5 every year,” Mr Suphan noted.
“During this time, the Phuket Land Development Station and the Phuket Provincial Agriculture Office come to take care of and inspect the soil condition as help to solve any problems,” he added.