ID :
110077
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 12:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/110077
The shortlink copeid
PM to chair meeting on measures to ease drought; protect second rice crop
BANGKOK, March 6 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will chair a meeting of the National Rice Policy Committee next week to discuss this year’s challenge to the second rice crop planting, now facing a serious problem due to the ongoing drought, according to Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankiri.
Mr Trairong, who oversees economic affairs, said the meeting will be held Wednesday as drought has already affected the quality of paddy rice. Due due water shortages the government is not encouraging farmers to grow a second rice crop this summer.
According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the average water level in dams in the country now stands at only 15 per cent of capacity, down 5 to 6 per cent from last year’s summer season.
Concerned government agencies are scheduled to also meet in Chiang Mai on Saturday to find ways to respond to the drought problem in Thailand, attributed to the drastic drop in the water level of the Mekong River. (TNA)
Mr Trairong, who oversees economic affairs, said the meeting will be held Wednesday as drought has already affected the quality of paddy rice. Due due water shortages the government is not encouraging farmers to grow a second rice crop this summer.
According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the average water level in dams in the country now stands at only 15 per cent of capacity, down 5 to 6 per cent from last year’s summer season.
Concerned government agencies are scheduled to also meet in Chiang Mai on Saturday to find ways to respond to the drought problem in Thailand, attributed to the drastic drop in the water level of the Mekong River. (TNA)
