UNEP Final Report: Establishing Sustainable, Resource Efficient Agri-Food Supply Chains

Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply chains
(IRRI Ref. No.: DPPC2010 22)
Final Report
Resource efficiency and ecosystems services in rice production in
Thailand’s central plain: Baseline research.
September 2010
Sub-study 1: Sukanya Kong-ngoen and Bhagirath Chauhan

Sub-study 2: Amara Wiengweera and Martin Gummert
Sub-study 3: S.R. Perret, M.S. Babel, S.D. Rahatwal, and R. Yarnsiri
Sub-study 4: Kukiat Soithong and Martin Gummert
Rice Department Resource Persons: Laddawan Kunnoot, Rossakon Keosa-ard, Waree Chaithep,
Nopharat Muangprasert and Ladda Viriyangkura
IRRI Resource Persons: Rica Flor, Bas Bouman, Grant Singleton, David Johnson, Apinporn
Phuengwattanapanich, Kong Luen Heong, Roland Buresh
Contact:
Director for Program Planning and Communications (DPPC)
Telephone: +63 (2) 580-5600 ext. 2747 or 2513;
Fax: +63 (2) 812-7689 or 580-5699
E‐mail address: dppc‐irri@cgiar.org
Mailing address: DAPO 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
The study is a follow-up activity to the UNEP Expert Roundtable on improving resource
efficiency in Thai rice production, held at UNEP-ROAP, Bangkok, from 1-2 February 2010. As
one outcome of this meeting, IIED has commissioned the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) to conduct a pre-pilot survey to set a baseline and determine whether there is sufficient
scope for improvements of resource efficiencies in water and nutrients in rice agriculture in the
irrigated Central Plain of Thailand. Postharvest losses magnify resource inefficiencies since they
reduce milled rice in the market per liter of water or kilograms of nutrients used in production
and they cause the generation of more greenhouse gases (GHGs) per kg of milled rice. Every
percent lost in postproduction means one percent inputs wasted. The study therefore also assesses
the losses and inefficiencies in rice postproduction. Because the provision of ecosystem services
such as flood control must be balanced against negative externalities when determining policies
and incentives, the study also aims at providing an inventory of ecosystem services. In order to
find where in the system (farm, chain or policy..) there are leverage points to effect and drive
change an actor analysis needs to be undertaken. The background papers produced in sub-studies
will provide the basis for further decisions by UNEP and its partners on the next steps for the
“Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply chains” project. A stakeholder
workshop for developing a vision for the project is planned for mid October 2010.
The study consists of 4 sub-studies:
Sub-study I: Resource efficiency in the central plain: Desk study
Sub-study II: Post harvest efficiency
Sub-study III: Inventory of ecosystem services
Sub-study IV: Actor analysis and identifications of levers
The study was conducted within the framework of the IRRI led Irrigated Rice Research
Consortium (IRRC) which has activities in Thailand in collaboration with the Rice Department of
the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). The Rice Department was sub-
contracted to collect, translate and interpret data available in Thailand.
There are three ways to define Thailand regions. One is based on geography, hydrology and
geomorphology; a second is based upon socio-economic characteristics; and a third one is based
on administration, policy and conventions. In Sub-study 1 and Sub-study 2, the Central Plain of
Thailand is defined according to geographic reference. It is a region of Thailand covering the
broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from North-East Thailand (Isan) by
the Phetchabun mountain range, and another mountain range separates it from Myanmar to the
Executive Summary: Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply chains, Thailand Page 3 of 21
west. In the north it gently changes into the hilly terrain in Northern Thailand. The area was the
heartland of the Ayutthaya kingdom, and is still the dominant area of Thailand. Central Thailand
contains the Thai capital of Bangkok. Central Thailand is the most populated region in the
country. Sub-study 2 also uses the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) definition for the
Central Region which comprises 26 provinces because the statistical data on trade is based on this
administrative definition.
The following provinces form parts of Central Plain of Thailand: 1. Ang Thong; 2. Phra Nakhon;
3. Si Ayutthaya; 3. Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon); 4. Kamphaeng Phet; 5. Lop Buri; 6.
Nakhon Nayok; 7. Nakhon Pathom; 8. Nakhon Sawan; 9. Nonthaburi; 10. Pathum Thani; and 11.
Phetchabun.
2. Sub Study 1: Resource efficiency in the Central Plain: Desk study

The Central Plain of Thailand has a total of 10.4 million ha, which is 20% of the whole kingdom.
The Central Plain has a paddy land of 1.67 million ha, which is 16.3% of the paddy land of whole
kingdom. An average farm size in Thailand is 3.61 ha, while it is 4.70 ha in the Central Plain.
Wet season rice production areas are classified into land suitability zones (S1 – highly suitable,
S2 – moderately suitable, S3 – marginally suitable, and S4 – not suitable). The 1.5 M ha of rice
grown in the Central Thailand is mostly S1 and S2.
In 2008, the harvested rice area in the Central Plain was 1.5 million ha in the wet season and 1
million ha in the dry season. Total rough rice (paddy) production in 2008 was 5.6 million tons in
the wet season and 4.5 million tons in the dry season, and average yields were 3.7 t/ha in the wet
season and 4.5 t/ha in the dry season. World-wide average rice yields are around 4 t/ha, whereas
world-wide irrigated rice yields are about 5 t/ha. The Central Plain produced 1.3 million tons of
husk in the wet season and 1 million tons in the dry season. Straw production in 2004 was 6.4
million tons, amounting to 19% of the organic material in Thailand.
Nearly all rice in the Central Plain is under irrigation. Central Thailand has some 2.1 million ha
covered by irrigation, of which half was cropped by rice in the dry season of 2008. Water scarcity
in dry season is a major constraint for rice production every year. Total water inputted to rice
fields in the dry season is an estimated 1000-1500 mm, of which 750-1125 mm is by irrigation.
For comparison: on average in Asia, rice fields receive 1300-1500 mm total water. Water
productivity is estimated to be 0.24-0.36 kg paddy rice per unit total water inputted, which
compares well with an average of 0.2-0.4 for Asian rice fields. Farmers are currently
recommended to maintain continuously flooded conditions, but the introduction of water-saving
technologies can potentially save water, pumping costs, and energy, and increase water
productivity.
Fertilizer-N use in the Central Plain is around 110 kg/ha in the dry season (DS) and 100 kg/ha in
the wet season (WS), which compares well with an average of 118±40 kg/ha across many
irrigated sites in Asia. N recovery and agronomic N-use efficiency, however, are low, with values
of 13 (WS) - 22 (DS) %, and 5 (WS) - 12 (DS) kg/kg, respectively. For comparison, recovery
rates of 27-50% and N-use efficiencies of 18-24 kg grain increase per kg N applied are common
for rice. Clearly, there is scope for increasing the N use efficiencies in the Central Plain and
reduce its losses to the environment. Farmers don’t apply K fertilizer, may be because the K rich
straw is incorporated in the field after combine harvesting.
Mean pesticide use in the Central Plain of Thailand is 2.08 kg active ingredients (a.i.)/ha, which
is 0.5-1.5 kg a.i./ha higher than for irrigated rice in the Philippines, the Mekong and Red River
Deltas in Vietnam, west Java (Indonesia), and Tamil Nadu (India), and only some 1.8 kg a.i./ha
lower than for irrigated rice in Zhejiang Province (China). Herbicide use in the Central Plain
(0.89 kg a.i./ha/crop vs. 0.34 kg a.i./ha/crop in Central Luzon, Philippines) has been increasing
because of labour shortage. Pesticides are often overused and this has led to chemical poisoning
(human). Farmers in Thailand rely only on pesticides for pest management and use them in a
prophylactic manner which predisposes their crop to invading plant hoppers. Recent and
devastating outbreaks of Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), which also carry rice viral diseases, are
thought to be caused by a variety of factors, mainly breakdown of host-plant resistance and
ecological resilience because of overuse of pesticides and by intensification and misuse of N
fertilizers.
Rice production consumes 13,480 MJ/ha energy for rainfed rice and 20,470 MJ/ha for irrigated
rice due to the higher input intensity of fertilizers and fuel. The total energy input used for rice
production was lower in Thailand than in India and Pakistan. The energy ratio in irrigated rice in
Thailand was 4.0, whereas this ratio in India and Pakistan was 2.5 and 4.2, respectively.
Farmers in the irrigated Central Plain use very high seed rates (>180 kg/ha); more than twice the
recommendation.
In the Central Plain, family labour decreased from 3.20 to 2.77 persons/household from 1998/99
-2006/07, and wages for hired labour are high because of the availability of industrial jobs.
Consequently, rice crops are established by direct seeding and land preparation, harvesting, and
threshing are fully mechanized. Labour constitutes around 33% of the total cost compared to 50%
in countries that are less mechanized.
The information on soil loss is very limited in Thailand. Soil losses in Central Thailand are
estimated to be 0-106 ton/ha/year; however, the probability of soil losses in irrigated rice is
minimal given the topography of rice areas in central Thailand and field bunds that limit water
movement.
The environmental impact of rice production is not well understood. Around 95% of the
developed freshwater resources are used for irrigation (mainly for rice). Agrochemicals pollute
water sources through irrigation runoff and infiltration. Surface and ground water, the primary
source for drinking water, has many problems related to water quality due to contamination. In
economic terms, the nutrient losses due to leaching are worth of up to 8,480 million Baht/year.
Around 20% of the N fertilizer finds its way to the rivers. Water pollution caused by rice farming
also affects fish and the aquatic fauna and causes eutrophication in rivers and lakes.
Studies on greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand show that the global warming potential of rice
production per kg was 2927 g CO2-eq, followed by 3.2 g SO2-eq of acidification, and 12.9 g
NO3-eq of eutrophication. Global warming inputs were for 95% associated with the cultivation
process and for 2% with harvesting. Methane emissions were 98 kg/ha/year in deepwater rice in
Prachinburi compared to 153-220 kg/ha/year in China, and 224 kg/ha/year in the Philippines in
irrigated rice and 137 kg/ha/year in Indonesia in rainfed rice.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) were developed in Thailand in 2008 to significantly promote
and encourage the quality and safety development of rice production in order to be accepted for
both domestic and international trade. Researchers have formulated the “Thai Ricecheck” for
integrated crop management for irrigated rice and rainfed lowland rice. Thai Ricecheck provides
the crop management guidelines for the GAP for integrated rice crop management. In 2006, the
Thai Rice Knowledge Bank was developed, which is a ‘one-stop shop’ portal – available on
CDROM and internet, for up to date information on rice production technologies and rice
varieties in Thailand.
A number of new technologies for Natural Resources Management for irrigated rice exist that
could potentially increase the resource-use efficiency of rice and reduce the ecological footprint.
Specific technologies include improved fertilizer management through site specific nutrient
management (SSNM), improved water productivity through Alternate Wetting and Drying
(AWD), and reduced pesticide use through integrated pest management (IPM) and Ecological
Engineering. These technologies are currently not included in the ThaiGAP; therefore, their
validation and the benchmarking of potential benefits in the Central Plain should be a priority.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Rice production in Central Plain of Thailand benefits from having better irrigation infrastructure
than other regions. Farmers in irrigated area grow more than two rice crops per year and use high
levels of inputs, especially seed rate, fertilizer, and pesticides. Biotic factors, such as diseases and
insect pests, are main constraints to rice production. There is overuse of land (growing more than
two crops/year), water and agrochemicals without considering the environment impact, health
hazards, and residues in water resources. Water scarcity in dry season is a major constraint for
rice production every year; water storage reached to the critical level in the dry season of 2010. In
order to save environment and utilize all resources for sustainable rice production, resources
efficiency utilization is the most important issues.
The Rice Department has compiled a number of general recommendations in three categories: 1.
Research and Development measures; 2. Production measures; and 3.) Postproduction and
marketing measures. These are contained in the Sub-study 1 and Sub study 2 reports. Table 1
summarizes proposed measures to improve resource use efficiencies.
Table 1: Major issues, proposed measures and their possible impact on resource efficiency in the Central
Plain of Thailand.
Issue Proposed measures Impact on resource efficiency Levers
• Increase in land use efficiency

Intensive cropping Plant two crops/year Government policies
• Reduction in pests, especially BPH
• Maintained soil quality
• Risk reduction of water scarcity
• Reduction in costs
High seed rate Use seed rate according to the Seed companies;
• Reduction in diseases and insect pests
recommendation / reduce extension services
average seed rates
• Improve nutrient use efficiency
Overuse of fertilizer Adopt site specific nutrient Fertilizer companies;
• Reduce fertilizer use and cost
management extension services
• Reduction in insect pests and diseases
• Reduction in environmental pollution and contamination
in drinking water and other water resources
• Reduction in eutrophication
• Reduction in nutrient leaching and run-off
• Reduction in nitrous oxide emissions
• Reduction in input cost
Overuse of pesticide Awareness in local pesticide Pesticide companies;
• Reduction in environmental pollution and contamination
retailer about sustainable use extension services
in drinking water
of pesticides; reduce pesticide and farmers’ groups
• Improvement in human health
use
• Reduction in development of resistance in pests
• Increase in water use efficiency
Overuse of water Adopt alternate wetting and Research institutes
• Reduction in water use
drying; introduce laser and private
• Reduction in fuel consumption and energy inputs where
levelling companies
water is applied by electric/diesel pump
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emission, e.g. methane
• Improvement in soil structure and soil health
Intensive wet tillage Adopt dry seeded rice Research institutes,
• Reduction in water use
private companies,
• Better tolerance to water and heat stress
extension staff
• Reduction in production cost
• Reduction in energy input
• Reduction in environmental pollution
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emission (CH4 & NO2)
3. Sub-study II: Post harvest efficiency

Preliminary note: During conducting the study it became apparent that very little recent data is available about the
quantity of postharvest losses and the performance of the postharvest industry of Thailand. Most reports focus on
aspects of the value chain structure and commodity flows and are generated and provided by stakeholders related to
trade. We have also observed this in other countries of the region and even at IRRI. Over the last two decades
postharvest, even more than agricultural research in general, has dropped out of public funded research because it
was considered to fall under the mandate of the private sector. Another reason for reduced funding for postharvest
R&D was growing frustration of donors caused by the low impact of some component technology focussed
postharvest technology projects. The small number of papers, only 4 from Thailand as host country, submitted to the
Postharvest 2009 Rice conference and exhibition conducted in Bangkok in 2009 supports this assessment.
Consequently there are many data gaps in Sub-study 2.
Thailand’s milled rice production in 2008 was 22.1 million tons with the Central plains
contributing 7 million tons. Official export of milled rice was 9 million tons, a reduction of one
million ton compared to 2007. Export of unmilled rice (paddy) is prohibited. The main export
markets are Indonesia, Nigeria, Iran, the United States, Singapore and the Philippines. Thailand’s
success in international rice trade is founded on high quality, long-grain white rice, which has a
substantial price advantage over modern, high yielding varieties. Since exports exceed the
production of the Central plains and most of the high quality rice comes from other areas, the
postharvest sector of the Central plains also processes and trades a large percentage of rice from
other areas in Thailand. Around 90% of the milled rice is transferred to Bangkok, of which 62%
is used for domestic use and 28% is exported.
Thailand has established 6 rice categories of internationally traded rice, which are used by most
exporters to offer their products:
1. Thai Hom Mali, formerly called Jasmine Rice: There are different photo sensitive Hom
Mali varieties and they are mostly grown in Northern Thailand but together with other
traditional varieties also in 10% of the central plains.
2. Glutinous Rice: Also called Thai Sticky Rice " or "Thai Sweet Rice". The best glutinous
rice is from the northern part of Thailand.
3. Japanese Rice: Produced in the north of Thailand.
4. Thai White Rice: High yielding varieties, non-photosensitive, mostly cultivated in the
Central plains.
5. Parboiled Rice is produced by soaking, pressure streaming and drying the paddy before
milling.
6. Brown Rice or unpolished rice. Only the husk is removed and the bran layer is left intact.
The coating of brown rice contains micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Brown rice
takes a little longer to cook. The texture is slightly sticky with nutty flavor and therefore it
is a niche market product.
Most of rice varieties grown in the Central plains are not photosensitive, photosensitive varieties
only cover 30%.
The rice market consists of the paddy market and the milled rice market (See Figure 1). There
are four major trading channels for paddy from farmers to millers: 1. Farmers sell directly to the
millers either personally (30% of traded paddy) or through sub-contractors (35%); 2. Local
traders or broker collect the paddy from farmers and sell to the millers (10%); 3. Agricultural
cooperatives or farmer groups (5%); and 4. Government agencies (20%).
Figure 1: Flows of Goods and Services in Thai Rice Industry. (Source: Adapted from Ministry of Commerce,
2009; Multi stakeholder workshop)
Roughly 55% of the milled rice from the mills goes into domestic markets either directly (25%),
through wholesalers or via brokers (30%). The remaining 45% of the milled rice is exported by
licensed exporters who either buy directly from millers (10%) or from brokers (35%).
Regardless of the export popularity of Hom Mali rice and other specialty rice, which is mostly
grown in the Northern and Northeastern region, most of exported rice is from the Central Plains
since Thai white rice and parboiled rice exports are the majority.
For a summary of the post production value chain stakeholders see Chapter 0.
Inefficiencies of the rice postharvest sector can be classified into two groups: First there are
inefficiencies in rice production, processing, handling and storage that have an effect on the
amount and the quality of milled rice represented by losses in dry matter and in quality; and
second there are inefficiencies that do not have an effect on the rice products but lead e.g. to high
energy use in processing or waste of potential raw materials such as straw and husk, which can be
turned into products either for energy or non energy applications.
In contrary to other SE-Asian countries harvesting in the central plains is fully mechanized. It
can be assumed that losses are low. With 5 person days/ha labor requirement for harvesting incl.
collection and transport is very low compared e.g. to North Vietnam with 80 person days/ha. In
fully mechanized harvesting systems losses are usually below 3% and it can be assumed that in
the Central plains losses in harvesting are not a problem although data are not available. Thailand
has a vibrant combine harvester manufacturing sector also exporting machines, e.g. to Cambodia.
In the Central plains 90% of the paddy is mechanical dried using either simple, locally produced
fixed bed batch dryers or more complex drying machines like batch-in-bin dryers or continuous
flow dryers. In comparison with neighbouring countries dryer usage in the Central Plains is
therefore extremely high. By comparison dryer capacity in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is 30%
of the harvest with slowly increasing trend, in the Philippines less than 5%, in Cambodia, Lao
PDR and Myanmar it is negligible with only few units installed in each country. There are many
reports about paddy quality problems and trading of high moisture paddy. This seems to be a
problem of delays in the trading system and targeting of drying technology though and not a
technology related problem.
Most of the paddy and milled rice in Thailand is stored in bags (50kg-1t), but in the Central
plains the majority seems to be stored in bulk (Noomhorn, A, 2009); more than 40 larger mills
that use two-stage drying systems definitely store in bulk. Data on losses in storage caused by
pests and poor storage handling and management was not found.
In accordance with rice farming, the rice milling sector in Thailand is fragmented. Main features
of the milling sector are the high competitiveness, moderate profits generated, lacking
differentiation, and indicators of existing exit barriers. As of 2008, the rice milling capacity
exceeds actual milled rice production by a factor of three, implying that capacity growth has
exceeded output growth substantially over recent years. Consequently, as rivalry for the sourcing
of inputs increases, the rice milling sector can be characterized as highly competitive with slow
output growth. Compared to the Philippines margins in rice milling were found to be low, caused
by the over capacity, high competitiveness and higher rice prices in the Philippines. Around 100
rice mills in the central region produce parboiled rice for export.
There are indications that with an average of 60% milling recoveries and with 48% head rice
recoveries, recovery efficiency is low compared to 65-68% and 50-55% respective figures in
state of the art mills in the region. There are probably two reasons, 1. the low paddy quality
mentioned earlier and reported inefficient and outdated equipment at the smaller mills (as result
of low returns and high competition). Only around 30% of the millers use milling quality
assessment tools when purchasing the paddy, though this is still a lot more than in other
countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) where except moisture meters hardly any test
tools are used. Data about inefficiencies in the different types of mills (See Chapter 0) and energy
consumption were not found.
The transport system includes trucks, trains and ships along the Chao Phraya River. Since most
of the rice is traded via the main urban consumption centers and transportation routes are quite
long there are many intermediaries involved including local buyers or brokers, local commission
agents (subcontractors), cooperatives, farmers groups, local market centers, millers, wholesalers
and retailers at the local level. At the regional level, large local market centers and large millers
are major intermediaries. The final level, i.e. country level includes brokers, wholesalers and
exporters. Losses during transport are supposedly small in the range of 1-2%.
Many companies offer fumigation services. Methyl bromide as fumigant for stored product
protection is phased out with UNEP sponsoring until 2013. Not much data was found the
effectiveness of alternatives. Data on losses on storage could not be found.
Various incentive schemes for better product quality and premium markets are being supported,
sometimes on a pilot scheme. This includes:
1. Organic rice production accounting for only 1.1% of the total rice production.
2. Thai Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), currently financed by the government due to
lacking market incentives
3. Branding to ensure a premium for good quality milled rice (see rice types above)
4. Fair trade to provide better prices for producers, around 7,500 families participate.
5. Contract farming to ensure good quality paddy for milling.
Products from rice include cakes, noodles, rice papers, rice wrappers, rice crackers, puddings,
muffins and other products. Around 8 factories produce rice bran oil from roughly ¼ of the annual
rice bran production, the rest is going into the feed industry. Portions of the 4 million tons rice husk
is used for energy generation in rice drying and parboiling, and recently also to produce electrical
power in large centralized rice husk power plants. Rice straw left in the field after combine harvesting
is mostly incorporated in the field; around 48% is subjected to open field burning, which constitutes
an environmental problem and a waste of a potential fuel.
Inefficiencies in production do have an effect on postproduction in the following areas:
1. Poor input management (water, nutrients, and seeds), unleveled fields and pest infestation
reduce milling recovery and milling quality. Together with under-investment in technical
upgrading due to overcapacity of the milling sector this probably contributes to the
reported low milling outputs.
2. Pesticide residues in milled rice from over-use of pesticides.
3. Delays in harvesting –drying results in quantitative and qualitative losses.
Data from Thailand that relates GAP to milling quality and efficiency was not found. Studies
conducted in Vietnam showed that head rice yields were 4% higher in laser leveled fields
compared to traditionally leveling.
Inefficiencies in postproduction also cause high input use, as pointed out in the introduction
every percent lost in postproduction means one percent inputs wasted.
Compared to other countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion, especially the ones already or
potentially competing in exports (Vietnam and Cambodia / Myanmar respectively) the Thai
postharvest sector is well developed. Harvesting is fully mechanized, drying to 90% indicating
that postharvest losses in these operations are low. Only Vietnam has significant mechanization
of drying in the Mekong delta (30%) and in some few provinces mechanized harvesting. Detailed
loss data was not available.
Some new technologies exist that might address some problems in the postharvest chain.
Hermetic storage for example could help improving seed quality leading to better milling outputs
and reduced losses. Laser leveling of land would lead to better paddy quality and again to higher
milling outputs.
Several projects looked into identifying new, innovative products from rice and rice by-
products. Around 20 new products were identified, which all would need product development,
labeling and the development of markets.
To provide additional incentives for better resource efficiencies the government is working on
the development of a Thai Postharvest GAP also referred to as Good Management Practice
(GMP). Like with organic rice, as sufficient price incentive for GAP/GMP rice would be pre-
condition for successful introduction.
Suggestions for additional market driven incentives on the production side include Eco branding
and labeling and GMO free rice branding and labeling. Market potential needs to be studied and
as with organic rice these would need to be certified throughout the value chain including
postharvest.
For making clear recommendations for improving postharvest resource efficiency the data base
is not sufficient. Recommendations therefore include:
1. Establish better postharvest baseline data on losses and industry performance by
conducting rapid assessments of representative key stakeholders of the postharvest sector
(see Sub-study 2).
2. Measures to improve the quality of paddy such as the implementation of GAP on the
production side (see Sub-study 1).
3. Assessment of significance and scope of high moisture paddy trading and delays in the
chain.
Since most problems seem to be related to the marketing system it is recommended to develop
and implement market driven incentives for premium rice from Thailand. Depending on market
potential this could include:
4. Develop and apply GMP in postharvest management including: Production management
for good paddy quality, optimizing methods for harvesting and threshing, drying,
packaging, management, transportation, storage and collection.
5. Engage the domestic and international private sector in partnerships to assess and
establish potential market channels for Thai rice branded according to market potential.
This could include: Thai GAP/GAM rice, Thai Eco-labeled rice, Thai GMO free rice and
others.
4. Sub-study III: Inventory of ecosystem services

Sub study 3 delivers a brief inventory of ecosystem services (ES) offered in the Central Plain of
Thailand, and related considerations on associated economic values. The concept of ecosystem
services provides an integrative framework for natural resource management and
environmentally sustainable agricultural production. The lowland paddy rice ecosystems in the
Central Plain offers several ecosystem goods and services, which include functions and values
related to regulating, supporting, and cultural services (mostly as public goods, i.e. true ES), and
contributions to the economy (mostly through private benefits).
We first clarify the terms and concepts on aquatic resource use, values, externalities, benefits, and
services. We define (1) resource direct-use value, generating private goods and services, which
benefits private, local economic agents, and (2) resource indirect, non-use value, generating
public goods and services, which benefits part or whole of society. Such a distinction proves
useful to first sort out the different functions and externalities attached to rice ecosystems,
developing a conceptual framework for further investigations, and second to identify proper
methodologies to assess economic values of ES in the Central Plain of Thailand.
In the context of the intensively irrigated rice cropping system of the Central Plain, designed and
operated for export and agro-industry sectors, some ES functions have considerable positive
effect (regulating), some limited positive effects (support), and some lead to significant negative
externalities (Green house gas (GHG) emissions and their contribution to climate change is the
main negative externality of paddy rice).
Among the range of ecosystem services, regulatory functions seems to be the most important.
Paddy rice ecosystems contribute significantly to water resource management and conservation,
erosion control, preservation of biodiversity and aquatic habitats, and, more importantly in the
central plains, flood mitigation and prevention. Paddy rice systems also contribute to the
economy (local and national), to development, and bear highly significant cultural value. In terms
of support functions, paddy fields contribute to nutrient cycling, water purification
(denitrification), air purification, and photosynthesis.
The case study in Ayutthaya Province in the central plain reveals that the concept of ecosystem
services is widely unknown among all stakeholders in the rice production sector. Further, little
relevant research has been conducted, and limited information is available on ecosystem services
in the area. Local experts suggest that some ecosystem functions and services are fulfilled by
paddy rice fields, with regards to culture, provision of goods, and contribution to the economy.
However, intensification of cropping systems and the intensive use of pesticides hinders most
possibilities on support and regulation. Local stakeholders, officials, most public and private
sector agents, and the general public seem to largely ignore both the concept of ecosystem
services, and the implications thereof. More specifically, farmers as primary producers and
custodians of such goods are not aware of the role they play, and how they could provide services
that benefit the whole society. There are two notable exceptions to this general lack of awareness:
the role played by paddy fields in flood mitigation and in wildlife conservation. Also, the Royal
Irrigation Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has develop Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP) recommendations in order to sustain and enhance ecosystem
services, especially those related to environmental conservation, soil quality, sustainable use of
pesticides and fertilizers. Tangible application and impact of GAP recommendations remain few
at this point in time. The economic values of the different rice ecosystems services and goods
have not been assessed in Thailand, although methodologies do exist. No compensation,
incentive or payment mechanism related to ecosystem services has been developed so far in
Thailand.
The following recommendations arose from this inventory of ES:
1. More research is required on the biophysical and ecological processes that are poorly
documented at this stage. These include hydrological processes, water and soil chemistry,
and water and soil ecology. The outcomes of such background research would be to better
define the quantity and quality of ecosystems services provided, and to back up further
investigations on their potential economic value.
2. GHG emissions and their concomitant high contribution to climate change is the main
negative externality of paddy rice production. Better quantification of the magnitude of
this effect in the Central Plain is required. Also, experimental studies are urgently
required of possible rice production processes and systems which could mitigate these
negative effects (see Sub Study 1).
3. More economic research is required. First, on assessing the value of all identified
ecosystems goods and services, and second, on investigating and testing economic
instruments that could promote sustainability of such provisions.
4. Research agencies should team up with interested public and private stakeholders in order
to redress the observed lack of knowledge and awareness on ecosystem services.
Communication and information flow on the benefits of ES has to be directed at the
general public, rice producers and the other main actors involved in the rice market chain
in the Central Plain.
5. Pilot projects are recommended to benchmark the different ESs in the intensive lowland
irrigated rice production system on the Central Plain. Participatory involvement of
existing farmer groups and/or delineated irrigation systems is proposed. The focus should
be on developing and verifying experiment mechanisms that could potentially lead to
sustainable provision of ecosystem services in the Central Plain.
6. Possible incentives for farmers and farmer groups to become involved in adopting
positive ESs include farmer certification, area certification, leading to the labeling of
products that are produced under accredited practices (e.g. GAP). Such pilot projects
could ultimately be used to examine different mechanisms for providing farmers with
positive reinforcement through payments for ecosystem services (PES).
5. Sub-study IV: Actor analysis and identifications of levers

Thai value chain actors consist of producers, millers, different stakeholders involved in trading
paddy and milled rice, exporters and input service providers and financial service providers
(Figure 1). Not contained in the figure are research institutions and organizations that formulate,
approve and implement policy.
The rice farmers in the Central plain represent about 25% of all rice farmers in Thailand which
is 578,340 households. On average they are planting 2.5 crops per years; 1 crop per year in wet
season and 1.5 in dry season. Average farm size is 4.4 and 4.8 ha per household in wet and dry
season, respectively. The farmers are organized in and get support from Rice Community
Centers (good quality seeds, technology transfer, training), Cooperatives, loosely in farmers
groups and in the Thai Rice Farmers Association for participation in Government decision
making. The rice farmers were identified as the key group for improving resource efficiencies of
rice production and through their organizations they have high leverage and influence.
Traders are engaged in both, paddy and milled rice trade. Millers buy 65% of the paddy
production paddy directly from farmers and also through sub-contractors whom they hire for
that purpose. Brokers trade 10%, they charge a commission for their services. Farmers’
organizations (cooperatives or farmers groups) handle only around 5% of the total production.
Government agencies under the Public Warehouse Organizations (PWO), Bank for Agriculture
and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and Ministry of Finance (MOF), like the Government
Warehouse Organization (GWO) under the Ministry of Commerce buys agricultural produce
particularly at intervention price. For details see Sub-study 4.
Rice mills are classified according to their capacity, ranging from less than 5 MT per 24 hours
(C3) over 5 to 20 MT per 24 hours (C2) to more than 20 MT per 24 hours (C1). In 2004, the total
of 39,943 rice mills was composed of 38,208 small, 527 medium, and 1,163 large rice mills.
Regional differences in distribution are notable, the dominant share of small mills is located in
the northeast, and relatively many large mills in the Central Plains. Rice millers have a strong
interest in improving the quality of paddy and therefore are an important stakeholder also with
respect to leverage (price) and influence (bargaining power). The Thai Rice Millers Association
therefore is a key stakeholder.
Milled rice from the millers is traded by brokers (65%), 10% of the millers sell directly to
exporters or have an export license and 25% of the milled rice is sold directly by millers to
wholesalers. The brokers sell to exporters and to wholesalers who serve the domestic market.
From the wholesalers the milled rice reaches the local consumers through many retailers. For
details see Sub-study 4.
Most of the exporters are organized in the Thai Rice Exporters Association, which does
intensive networking with government organizations but also other interest groups and organised
events to promote Thai Rice world wide. For details see Sub-study 4. Since all exporters have to
be members of the association it is a very powerful stakeholder and should be included in any
project.
Input suppliers have mixed attitudes towards improving resource efficiency. Seed providers are
positive since they are interested in providing good quality seeds. On the other hand, fertilizer
and pesticide distributors are most likely opposing measures that reduce their sales and short
term profits. International fertilizer industry associations can have a longer term perspective
promoting appropriate fertilizer use that is sustainable. Machinery distributors and
manufacturers would have a positive attitude toward a project that increases the competitiveness
of their equipment e.g. by lower fuel consumption. Irrigation water suppliers potentially have an
interest in serving more farmers if existing farmers increase water use efficiency.
Due to its mandate the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is the
bank with biggest leverage and influence. Other banks and financial institutions are also expected
to support a project on resource use efficiency with the exception of informal credit providers.
National research institutions include Kasetsart University and other universities with R&D on
rice. The international AIT has projects on rice and ecosystems. Four institutes support rice
reseach, the most important ones being the National Science and Technology Development
Agency (NSTDA) and the Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA). All these
stakeholders are expected to have positive attitude towards resource efficiency improvements but
limited influence and leverage, which can be strengthened when R&D results are considered in
policy formulation.
Various ministries are involved in formulating policy affecting the postharvest sector, among
them the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), the Ministry of Commerce
(MOC), the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), the Ministry of Foreign
affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment and the Ministry of Industry (MOI). The Rice Department of the MOAC is
tasked to develop policies related to rice. The Rice Policy Committee with the Prime Minister as
Chairman is in charge with considering and approving strategy and policy related to rice.
International stakeholders with strong interest in improving resource efficiencies are FAO
supporting water management programs with the Royal Irrigation Department and the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) through the Irrigated Rice Research
Consortium (IRRC). The IRRC is already working with the Rice Department on information
exchange and international networking for the introduction of good management practices in
nutrient-, water- and pest-management and on postharvest. A donor with interest and high
leverage is JICA. Consultants like Applied GeoSolutions can provide special expertise in remote
sensing, mapping and monitoring of agricultural systems and help in the development of site to
regionally specific management strategies for water quality and nutrient loading.
The value chain is highly competitive, especially the milling sector is characterized by
overcapacity and partly by resulting under-investment in quality upgrading of the equipment. A
study comparing Thailand with the Philippines compared marketing cost by function and gross
margins and found very little markup over costs in Thailand compared to the Philippines.
Current rice policy is documented in Thai Rice Strategies that were developed by the Ministry
of Commerce in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, other
government institutions, and related private sector players. It consists of vision, mission, and 6
groups of strategies for a 5 - year implementation period (2007-2011) as follows:
1. Strategies for Production development: aims at increasing annual paddy production from
31 million tons to 39 million tons through increasing yields by 20% and increasing rice
area from 10.4 million ha to 11.2 million ha.
2. Strategies for Promotion and supporting farmers aims at assuring higher incomes and
better living conditions for farmers who are proud of being farmers by increasing the
knowledge of at least one million farmers, provision of immediate, thorough and accurate
technical information and services based on their needs and by strengthening farmers’
associations.
3. Strategies for Marketing management system & products development aims at rising
farmers’ incomes by at least 10% in 5 years by stimulating market mechanisms to
improve market potential and boost production potential.
4. Strategies for Maintaining price stability aims at reducing paddy price intervention cost
from 4,400 million baht to 4,000 million bath by reducing the intervention price.
5. Strategies for International marketing development aims at increasing exports from 7.4
million tons or 2,057 million US$ in 2006 to 8.5-9.5 million t or 2.550-2.850 million
US$.
6. Strategies for Logistics and services management aims at reducing cost for logistics and
services from 19% of gross rice production cost to 15%.
Information about the implementation and impact of these strategies was not available.
A number of opportunities for improved resource efficiencies were identified during a
Stakeholder workshop conducted in the context of Sub-study 4. They are to a large extend in line
with the opportunities identified in Sub-study 1 and Sub-study 2.
6. Summary of Recommendations for improving resource efficiencies

The Sub-studies 1-3 contain a whole range of general recommendations for improving resource
efficiencies. Some of them are “business as usual” a repetition of previous interventions. Others
are innovative, building on multiple stakeholder partnerships to address complex problems that
that are often deeply embedded in the different sections of the value chain. A summary of what
the study team sees as the most promising levers in a future UNEP/Thai project is shown below:
Table 2: Potential levers identified to improve resource efficiency in Central Thailand’s rice production.
Lever Available Required partnerships Effect on resource

technologies/management efficiency
options
• Laser land levelling • Reduction of disease
Thai GAP (good Farmers groups, Contract
agricultural practice) • Dry seeding of rice service providers (land
and pests, especially
• Use recommended seed prep), seed companies,
BPH
rates and good quality fertilizer companies, • Maintained soil quality
seed pesticide companies, at reduced fertilizer use
• Site specific nutrient extension services, Royal • Reduction of nutrient
management Irrigation Department, leaching and run off
• Water saving R&D, • Reduction of water use
technologies • Reduction in costs
(Alternative wetting • Risk reduction of water
and drying) scarcity
• Integrated pest
management
• Timing of harvesting • Reduction of
Thai GMP in postharvest Public-private partnerships
• Best practice for (PPP): Farmers
postharvest losses
(good management harvesting organizations, millers • Maximized milling
practice) • Moisture management organizations, selected yields
(avoid delays) traders wholesalers and • Minimized mycotoxin
• Safe storage (e.g. retailers, R&D and policy. contamination
hermetic storage
• Storage management
• Certification • Market incentive for
New Thai rice brands, e.g. PPP, building on Thai
- Eco rice • Management and GMP and adding
producers and
technology for processors to use GAP
- GMO free rice international market
traceability and GMP
……. stakeholders
• All above
• R&D, product • Value added, higher
Markets for new products Research (Rice
development margins, incentive to
from rice and rice by- Department), PPP
products • Market establishment use GAP for producing
quality raw materials.
• Using husk and straw • Savings in greenhouse
CDM (Clean development PPP (need to check current
for energy generation gas emissions
Mechanism) legislation and programs)
• Carbon markets
• Pooling of producers
Resource efficiency and ecosystems services in rice production in Thailand’s central plain: Baseline research
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Sub-study 1: Resource efficiency in the Central Plain: Desk Study
3. Sub-study II: Post harvest efficiency
4. Sub-study III: Inventory of ecosystem services
5. Sub-study IV: Actor analysis and identifications of levers
6. Summary of Recommendations for improving resource efficiencies
Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations
Sub-study 1: Resource efficiency in the Central Plain: Desk Study
1 Background information ..................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Land use.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Rice management recommendations ................................................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.1 Thai GAP and Thai RiceCheck.............................................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.2 Thai Rice Knowledge Bank ................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Crop productivity ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 Soil loss .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Farmer production techniques.........................................................................................................................9
2.1 Fertilizer use ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Pesticide use ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 Energy use ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
2.4 Water use .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.5 Labour and capital inputs ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
3. Climate impact..............................................................................................................................................19
4. Environmental impact...................................................................................................................................21
5. Health impact................................................................................................................................................23
6. Best Management Practices and options to improve resource efficiency .....................................................23
6.1 Current resource use......................................................................................................................................................................... 24
6.2 ThaiGAP and Ricecheck .................................................................................................................................................................. 24
6.3 Inventory of scope for improving resource efficiency..................................................................................................................... 25
6.4 Novel technologies for improvement of resource use efficiency .................................................................................................... 26
References.........................................................................................................................................................28
Sub-study II: Post harvest efficiency
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1
2. Description of the postproduction value chain and main actors .....................................................................3
2.1. Markets/trade..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Thai rice............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3.Rice Market Structure ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.4.Value chain structure and governance ............................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5.Key Postproduction Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.Postharvest issues, losses and efficiency gaps ...............................................................................................10
3.1.Rice................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.Products from rice grains ................................................................................................................................................................. 16
3.3.Rice by-products............................................................................................................................................................................... 16
4.Effect of production inefficiencies on postproduction...................................................................................18
5.Comparison with other rice producing regions..............................................................................................18
6.Potential other use of rice and by products ....................................................................................................20
6.1.Rice................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
6.2.Bran .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
6.3.Husk.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
6.4.Straw................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
6.5.Innovative new products .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
1
7. Response options at PH value chain level and policy for improved resource efficiencies ...........................22
7.1.Suggestions for further research....................................................................................................................................................... 23
7.2.Improving postharvest resource efficiency ...................................................................................................................................... 23
8.Conclusions and Recommendations ..............................................................................................................25
9.References......................................................................................................................................................27
Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................1
Table of content ..................................................................................................................................................2
1 Demarcation of Central Plain of Thailand and Rice Cultivation .....................................................................4
1.1 Demarcation of Central Plain of Thailand ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Land use map of Thailand.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Rice cultivation in Thailand and in Central Plain ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 Meteorological data ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.5 Rice production in Thailand: Main features ................................................................................................................................... 10
1.6 Sumamry........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
2 Rice Ecosystems: Functions and Services ....................................................................................................11
2.1 Defining ecosystem services ............................................................................................................................................................ 11
2.2. Rice agro ecosystems ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 Regulation functions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.1 Paddy fields affecting local climate .................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.2 Paddy fields interacting with global climate ...................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.3 Function of conserving water resources .............................................................................................................................. 15
2.3.4 Function of prevention of soil erosion ................................................................................................................................ 16
2.3.5 Functions of preservation of biodiversity and habitat for wildlife ..................................................................................... 16
2.3.6 Function of pest suppression................................................................................................................................................ 19
2.3.7 Function of flood prevention ............................................................................................................................................... 19
2.4 Provision and Contribution to Economy and Development ............................................................................................................ 21
2.4 Support ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
2.4.1 Function of soil nutrient cycling ......................................................................................................................................... 21
2.4.2 Function of water purification ........................................................................................................................................... 22
2.4.3 Function of air purification ................................................................................................................................................ 22
2.4.4 Function for photosynthesis ............................................................................................................................................... 23
2.5 Culture ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 23
2.5.1 Function of supporting cultural identity ............................................................................................................................ 23
2.5.2 Function of preserving amenities for recreation and relaxation ......................................................................................... 23
2.6 SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23
3 Case Study in Central Plain of Thailand: Ayutthaya Province ......................................................................24
3.1 General information ........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
3.1.1 Meteorological Data (1993-2009)........................................................................................................................................ 24
3.1.2 Soil characteristics ............................................................................................................................................................... 26
3.2 Rice and rice ecosystem services in Ayuttaha ................................................................................................................................. 26
3.2.1 Rice cultivation ............................................................................................................................................................................ 27
3.2.2 Ecosystem services........................................................................................................................................................................ 28
3.3 Summary........................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
4. Economic Valuation .....................................................................................................................................29
4.1 The economic values of aquatic ecosystems ................................................................................................................................... 29
4.2 Actual and potential valuation studies ............................................................................................................................................ 32
4.2.1 Function of provision of food and aquaculture.................................................................................................................... 32
4.2.2 Regulation functions ............................................................................................................................................................ 32
4.2.3 Culture, recreation................................................................................................................................................................ 33
4.2.4 Support functions ................................................................................................................................................................. 33
4.3 Summary........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
5 GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and impacts on improving ecosystem services .....................................33
5.1 GAP for rice production .................................................................................................................................................................. 33
6 Policy and Stakeholders.................................................................................................................................39
7 Conclusion, Recommendations......................................................................................................................41
7.1 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
7.2 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................................... 41
2
7.2.1 Research .............................................................................................................................................................................. 41

7.2.2 Implementation ................................................................................................................................................................... 42
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................43
APPENDIX 1: Rice-Fish and Rice-Duck Ecosystems ................................................................................... 45
APPENDIX 2: Insects and Pests found in Rice Farm.......................................................................................49
APPENDIX 3: Rice Varieties in Thailand....................................................................................................... 53
APPENDIX 3: Values of Ecosystem Services................................................................................................. 56
APPENDIX 4: Use of Aquatic Organisms from Rice Fields............................................................................57
Sub-study IV: Actor analysis and identifications of levers
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1
2. The rice value chain ........................................................................................................................................2
2.1. Competitive Forces in the Industry ................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2. Value chain structure......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.3. Producers ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.4. Postharvest processing ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5. Marketing and consumption.............................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.6. Inputs and input suppliers ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.7. Support service providers................................................................................................................................................................ 10
2.8. Research .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.9. Policy ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.10. Other stakeholders......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.11. Value chain dynamics: Prices, profits and regulations................................................................................................................. 16
3. Policy context ...............................................................................................................................................17
3.1. Policies regulating rice production ................................................................................................................................................. 17
3.2. Thai Rice Strategy 2007-2011 ........................................................................................................................................................ 18
4. Stakeholder assessment and network mapping .............................................................................................20
5. Opportunities / levers....................................................................................................................................22
6. Recommendations.........................................................................................................................................24
7. References.....................................................................................................................................................24
Stakeholder workshop for resource efficiency and ecosystems services in the rice value chain in Thailand’s
central plain
Background ........................................................................................................................................................2
Objectives ...........................................................................................................................................................2
Workshop outputs ...............................................................................................................................................3
The workshop process ........................................................................................................................................3
Workshop languages ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Participation.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
The Workshop ....................................................................................................................................................4
Day 1......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Problem analysis....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Stakeholder analysis ................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Day 2, Morning ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Stakeholder analysis: Network mapping................................................................................................................................................ 10
Influence, leverage and attitude analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Integration............................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Day 2, Afternoon .................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Next Steps.........................................................................................................................................................19
Learning-oriented monitoring...........................................................................................................................19
Appendix...........................................................................................................................................................21
Appendix 1. Problem trees from all the groups ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Appendix 2. Network maps drawn by each of the groups..................................................................................................................... 23
Appendix 3. Parking lot (from day 1) .................................................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 4. Composite maps showing details of interactions between stakeholders. ........................................................................ 25
Appendix 5. List of workshop participants and their contact details .................................................................................................... 28
3
List of Abbreviations
AB Agricultural Bank
AEN agronomic N-use efficiency
AFM Association of Fertilizer Manufacturers
AIT Asian Institute of Technology
ARDA Agricultural Research Development Agency
AWD Alternate wetting and drying
BAAC Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives
BHP Brown plant hopper
CRC Community Rice Center
CSF Chamnien Saranaga Foundation
DS Dry season
ES Ecosystem services
EUR Euro
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FB Farmers group
GAP Good agricultural practices
CDM Clean development Mechanism
GMO Genetically modified organism
GMP Good management practice
GHG Greenhouse gas
GIS Global information system
GMS Greater Mekong Subregion
GWO Government Warehouse Organization
GWP global warming potential
IIED International Institute for Environment and Development
IPM Integrated pest management
IRRC Irrigated Rice Research Consortium
IRRI International Rice Research Institute
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
K K-fertilizer
KCI KCI fertilizer
KMIT King Mongkuth’s Institute of Technology
LCC Leaf colour chart
MNRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
MOAC Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
MOC Ministry of Commerce
MOF Ministry of Finance
MOFA Ministry of Foreign affairs
MOI Ministry of Industry
MOTC Ministry of Transport and Communications
MT Metric tons
N Nitrogen fertilizer
NSTDA National Science and Technology Development Agency
OAW Office of Agricultural Economics
P Phosphate fertilizer
PH Postharvest
PPP Public-private partnerships
PWO Public warehouse organization
PES Payments for Ecosystem Services
RKB Rice Knowledge Bank
RSC Rice Seed Center
R&D Research and Development
SSC Saturated Soil Culture
SSNM Site specific nutrient management
TFA Thai Rice Farmers Association
THB Thai Baht
TSP Triple Super Phosphate Fertilizer
TV Television
UNEP United Nations Environment Program
WS Wet season
4
Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply
chains
Sub-study 1: Resource efficiency in the Central Plain of Thailand:
Desk study
1 Background information .............................................................................................................2

1.1 Land use..............................................................................................................................2
1.2 Rice management recommendations..................................................................................2
1.2.1 Thai GAP and Thai RiceCheck.....................................................................................2
1.2.2 Thai Rice Knowledge Bank...........................................................................................6
1.3 Crop productivity .................................................................................................................7
1.4 Soil loss ...............................................................................................................................8
2. Farmer production techniques ..................................................................................................9
2.1 Fertilizer use......................................................................................................................11
2.2 Pesticide use .....................................................................................................................12
2.3 Energy use ........................................................................................................................14
2.4 Water use ..........................................................................................................................16
2.5 Labour and capital inputs ..................................................................................................18
3. Climate impact ........................................................................................................................19
4. Environmental impact .............................................................................................................21
5. Health impact ..........................................................................................................................23
6. Best Management Practices and options to improve resource efficiency...............................23
6.1 Current resource use.........................................................................................................24
6.2 ThaiGAP and Ricecheck ...................................................................................................24
6.3 Inventory of scope for improving resource efficiency ........................................................25
6.4 Novel technologies for improvement of resource use efficiency .......................................26
References..................................................................................................................................28
1
1 Background information
Central Plain is separated from North-East Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range, and
also by other mountains from Myanmar to the west. The area is the heartland of the Ayutthaya
kingdom. The country’s capital Bangkok is in the Central Plain, and this is the most populated
region in the country. The Central Plain is a natural self-contained basin often termed as “the
rice bowl of Asia”. The Central Plain regions lie in the lower watershed of the Chao Phraya River
and comprise fertile alluvial soils which are seasonally flooded. The region received an average
annual rainfall of 1268-1775 mm during 1999-2008, of which about 80% fell in the wet season
(WS). Over 90% of farm holdings are cropped principally to rice. Since there is limited land
available for grazing ruminants in the region, livestock rely heavily on rice straw.
1.1 Land use
Recent land use in Thailand is summarized in Table 1 (OAE 2009). The Central region has a
total of 10.4 million ha, which is 20% of the whole kingdom. The Central region has a paddy
land of 1.67 million ha, which is 16.3% of the paddy land of the whole kingdom. An average
farm size in the Thailand is 3.61 ha, while it is 4.70 ha in the Central region.
1.2 Rice management recommendations
1.2.1 Thai GAP and Thai RiceCheck

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) have been introduced in Thailand, through government and
other organizations initiatives, to improve rice yield and seed quality. Researchers have
formulated the “Thai Ricecheck” for integrated crop management for irrigated rice and rainfed
lowland rice. Thai Ricecheck provides crop management guidelines for the GAP for integrated
rice crop management. The nine keychecks and their expected outputs are shown in Table 2
(IRRI & FAO 2003).
Keycheck 1. Rice variety selection: Thai farmers grow rice in two seasons (wet and dry).
¾ Wet season rice: Most rice varieties in this group are photosensitive and native. These
varieties flower and mature at a specific time of the year.
¾ Dry season rice: These rice varieties are the non-photosensitive rice varieties. Flowering
and maturity depends on the age of rice varieties and so can be grown in different
seasons.
Keycheck 2. Good quality seeds: Rice seeds should have a high rate of seed germination
(>80%), no contamination by weed seeds and off-types. The recommendation for good quality
rice seed is to select viable seed and discard others by soaking seed in a solution of sodium
chloride or solution of ammonium sulphate. The unfilled seed will be removed, and the viable
seed rinsed with clean water. Remaining seeds are ready to be germinated and grown in the
paddy. The recommendation of rice seed rate for direct seeding (wet as well as dry) is 95-125
kg/ha, while for transplanted rice is 30-45 kg/ha.
Keycheck 3. Land preparation and land levelling: The results of this activity are the reduction of
weeds and good plant establishment. Good land preparation provides uniform crop
establishment.
2
Table 1. Land use in Thailand by regions, 2007.
Region Area (ha) No of
Total Forest Farm Farm Residential Paddy Upland Fruits and Veg. and Pasture Waste households
holding size field tree crop ornamental
plants
Whole
kingdom 51,311,502 15,865,260 20,856,529 3.609 588,483 10,220,394 4,259,058 4,649,820 194,537 179,372 352,721 5,778,338
North 16,964,429 8,836,811 4,439,931 3.348 149,327 2,224,128 1,368,057 531,367 60,151 38,744 23,530 1,326,019
Northeast 16,885,434 2,454,989 9,131,758 3.397 228,957 5,939,241 1,714,363 696,026 44,582 88,871 246,560 2,688,561
Central 10,390,120 2,843,869 4,123,137 4.700 123,312 1,667,671 1,169,280 906,850 71,340 32,192 38,833 877,310
South 7,071,519 1,729,591 3,161,703 3.567 86,887 389,354 7,358 2,515,577 18,464 19,565 43,798 886,448
3
Table 2: Keycheck systems and their output for the Good Agricultural Practices for integrated
rice crop management in Thailand.
Keycheck Output
1. Rice variety selection 1. Farmers select the varieties that they can
consume and/or sale
2. Use good quality seed 2. No off-type and seed germination > 80%
3. Good land preparation and land leveling 3. No weed, uniform rice growth
4. Weed control 4. No weed or less weed found in field
5. Fertilizer application and soil 5. Rice plants look healthy, green and no pest
improvement infection
6. Water management 6. Enough water during growth period, less weed
and good quality seed
7. Pest control 7. No symptoms of diseases or insects damage
8. Rouging 8. No off-type rice plants, good seed quality
9. Optimum harvesting time 9. High yield, good seed quality
Keycheck 4. Good weed control: Farmers in Central Plain of Thailand lose a great deal of grain
yield and grain quality of rice because of competition from weeds. Weeds can be controlled
using mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological control, or integrating these methods.
Keycheck 5. Fertilization and soil improvement: Rice growing areas in Thailand can be
classified into three kinds of soil. Fertilizer recommendation is different depending on soil
texture.
¾ Clay soil: This is the fine and fertile soil with high organic matter. The soil tends to be
rich in nutrients particularly K. Only N and P applications are recommended.
¾ Silt soil: This soil tends to have less organic matter than clay and lower percent of
organic matter. N, P, and K applications are recommended in this soil.
¾ Sandy soil: This soil tends to have low organic matter or nutrient status and requires
more fertilization. Application of N, P, and K fertilizers are not enough and this soil needs
application of organic materials for soil improvement.
Organic fertilizer should be applied and incorporated into soil 2-3 weeks before land
preparation. Green manure, including legumes such as sesbania, should be grown for 55 days
before incorporation into soil during land preparation. Chemical fertilizer recommendation
depends on the kind of soil texture and rice plant types (Table 3).
From Keycheck 5, MOAC developed software programmes for fertilizer recommendation and
soil improvement, and distributed it to users in Local Administrative Organizations at sub-district
levels. Researchers have already distributed >13,000 leaf colour charts (LCC) to farmers in the
Central Plain during the last few years after the results from experiments showed that use of
LCC could reduce the amount of N fertilizer by 14 to 48%. LCC is being rapidly adopted by
farmers (Jatuporn 2008).
Keycheck 6. Water management: Apply optimum water levels at different growth stages:
¾ Seedling stage: Seeds are sown after puddling. Give 3-5 cm of water when seedlings
reach 7-10 cm, and gradually increase the water level.
¾ Tillering stage: Optimum water level should be 5-10 cm.
¾ Panicle initiation: Optimum water level should be 10-20 cm.
¾ Flowering stage: Keep water level at 10-20 cm depth until 2 weeks before harvesting.
4
Table 3. Inorganic fertilizer recommendation for photosensitive and non-photosensitive rice
varieties (RRI & FAO 2003).
Soil First application Second application Third application
N-P-K Rate N-P-K Rate N-P-K Rate
composition (kg/ha) composition (kg/ha) composition (kg/ha)
(%) (%) (%)
Non-photosensitive varieties
Clay 16-20-0 190-220 46-0-0 65-95 46-0-0 65-95
Silt and 16-16-8 190-220 46-0-0 65-95 46-0-0 65-95
Sandy 16-12-8 190-220 46-0-0 65-95 46-0-0 65-95
18-12-6 190-220 46-0-0 65-95 46-0-0 65-95
Photosensitive varieties
Clay 16-20-0 125-155 46-0-0 45-65 - -
Silt and 16-16-8 125-155 46-0-0 45-65 - -
Sandy 16-12-8 125-155 46-0-0 45-65 - -
18-12-6 125-155 46-0-0 45-65 - -
Keycheck 7. Integrated pest control: Different practices for integrated pest control are shown
below.
¾ Cultural practice: Optimum seed rate (95-125 kg/ha for direct seeding), land preparation,
planting time management, field checking, management from farmland (including weed
control on the banks and good water management to reduce pest problem), and crop
rotation.
¾ Resistant rice varieties to pests
¾ Optimum fertilizer application – high rates of N are linked with increases in pests and
diseases
¾ Use of pesticides only when necessary
¾ Protection by mechanical methods
¾ Integrated Pest Management which promotes beneficial insects
Keycheck 8. Rouging: Rouging of off-type rice plants should be done 3-4 times during the rice
crop at the differing growth stages:
¾ Seedling stage: Off-type plants can be identified from different leaf colours, plant height
and disease or insect symptom.
¾ Tillering stage: Different plant height and stem colour are observed in off-type plants.
¾ Flowering: Diverse flowering time compared with rice varieties, panicles, plant height
and different canopy are observed in off-type plants.
¾ Panicle filling stage: Observe seed colour, awn, including seed shape and panicle type.
¾ Before harvesting: Check plant type again before harvest.
Keycheck 9. Crop harvest at optimum time.

The recommended optimum time for harvesting is 28-30 days after flowering.
A national committee consisting of 19 members (composed of different stakeholders) developed

standards for GAP for rice to significantly promote and encourage the quality and safety of rice
production in order for rice to be accepted for both domestic and international trade (TAS 2008).
This standard should be used as a guideline to farmers in their rice cultivation and postharvest
practices and also applied as criteria to certify the production process at farm level for food
safety of the consumers and promoting rice exportation. Provisions concerning important
requirements for GAP for rice are shown below.
5
1. Water sources: Water is safe from hazardous substance contamination.
2. Planting area: The land is safe from hazardous substance which can cause contamination to
the produce.
3. Application of pesticides: Use according to the recommendations of the Rice Department or
the Department of Agriculture, and follow the recommendations on the registered label.
4. Quality management in pre-harvest production: Use qualified seeds, mixture of other varieties
grain should not exceed 5%, and in this amount, the red kernels should not be more than 2%.
5. Harvesting and post-harvest practices: The appropriate harvesting time shall be observed 25
to 35 days after flowering or when at least 75% of the kernels have a full yellow colour. The
paddy must be dried to reduce moisture within 24 hours after harvest, and this practice shall not
introduce any breakage to grain. The moisture of paddy shall not exceed 15% for traded rice
and 14% for stored rice.
6. Transportation and storage: Use clean containers for transport and the storage rooms are
hygienically clean and well ventilated.
7. Record keeping: Farmers need to record all operations.
1.2.2 Thai Rice Knowledge Bank

In July 2006, the Thai Rice Knowledge Bank (RKB) version 1 was officially released. The Thai
RKB is a ‘one-stop shop’, available on CDROM and through internet (http://www.brrd.in.th/rkb/;
Box 1), for accessing up to date information on rice production technologies, modelled after the
RKB developed by the International Rice Research institute
(www.knowledgebank.irri.org/rice.htm).
Box 1: Opening page of the Thai Rice Knowledge Bank.
Cultivation practices
Cultivars & fertilizer applications
Pests & control
Weeds &
Seed production control
Post harvest
Farm mechanizations technology
Cropping
Organic rice production systems
Making food
GAP and handbooks
products
It is hosted by the Rice Department and co-developed by Khon Kaen University and Chamnien
Saranaga Foundation (CSF). In 2006, a total of 1,239 extension officers throughout Thailand
6
were trained in 2 training centers and 2 mobile training units in the use of the Thai RKB. In
2007, version 2 of the Thai RKB was launched with enhanced features, updated information,
and new ‘fact sheets’: single pagers on specific technologies (94 were available by March
2008). It now also contains posters, brochures, leaflets, radio scripts, and a farmer training
handbook. It has been promoted by community radio stations and local tv networks.
A crosslink exists on the opening page of the Thai RKB to the Thai GAP and Ricecheck
booklets and brochures. It is not clear to what extent the contents of the Thai RKB, ThaiGAP,
and Thai RiceCheck have been synchronized.
1.3 Crop productivity
The trends in area, production, and yield of wet season (major rice)1 and dry season (second
rice)2 rice from 2006 to 2009 are summarized in Table 4. Rice husk is produced from paddy
milling that constitutes about 23% of the paddy weight (Papong et al. 2009). Assuming this
value, the estimated husk production of wet season rice in the Central Plain was 1285 x 103
tons in 2008, while in dry season 2008/09 the estimated husk production was 1031 x 103 tons.
Rice organic material (straw) production in 2004 was 6.36 million ton from the Central region,
which was 19% of the total rice organic material produced in the whole of Thailand (Department
of Agriculture 2005). The data for total rice production (t) and average rice yield (t/ha) in the
world, Asia, and Thailand are shown in Figure 1 (IRRI website).
Table 4. Area, production, and yield of wet and dry season rice in the Central Plain and the
whole of Thailand.
Region Wet season Dry season
2006 2007 2008 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09
Planted area (000 ha)
Whole Kingdom 9,207 9,182 9,188 1,612 2,048 1,984
Central Plain 1,591 1,570 1,571 878 1,076 989
Harvested area (000 ha)
Whole Kingdom 8,560 8,623 8,702 1,605 2,046 1,982
Central Plain 1,441 1,489 1,516 877 1,076 988
Production (000 tons)
Whole Kingdom 22,840 23,308 23,235 6,802 8,791 8,415
Central Plain 5,291 5,515 5,586 3,910 4,876 4,482
Yield (kg/ha)
Whole Kingdom 2,669 2,706 2,669 4,238 4,294 4,244
Central Plain 3,669 3,700 3,681 4,463 4,531 4,538
1
Major rice refers to the rice grown between May and October.
2
Second rice refers to the rice grown in dry season between November and April.
7
700000 World Asia Thailand
600000
Rice production ('000 t)

500000
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
4
Rice yield (t/ha)
3
0
2007 2008
Year
Figure 1. Production and yield of rough rice in the world, Asia, and Thailand during 2007 and 2008.
1.4 Soil loss
The levels of soil erosion in Thailand are classified on the basis of flat area (alluvial plain and
hillside slope <35%) and high area (mountain and valley having slope >35%). The areas under
different levels of soil leaching and erosion are shown in Table 5 (Limthong 2009). The flat
areas under Class 1 and 2 are of most relevance to rice. Soil losses in Central Thailand are
estimated to be 0-106 ton/ha/year; however, the probability of soil losses in irrigated rice is
minimal.
Table 5. Area of land under different levels of soil leaching and erosion.
Class Area (ha) % of total area
Flat area
Class 1: least leaching and erosion 27,167,110 52.95
Class 2: little leaching and erosion 6,860,482 13.37
Class 3: medium leaching and erosion 1,567,630 3.06
Class 4: severe leaching and erosion 110,870 0.22
Class 5: most severe leaching and erosion 365,266 0.71
Total 36,071,358 70.30
High area
Class 1: least erosion 6,678,300 13.02
Class 2: little erosion 4,140,853 8.07
Class 3: medium erosion 2,286,478 4.46
Class 4: severe erosion 428,621 0.84
Class 5: most severe erosion 1,704,617 3.32
Total 15,238,869 29.70
Whole area in Thailand 51,310,226 100.00
8
2. Farmer production techniques
In Thailand, soils for economic crops are classified into four classes following an FAO
framework (Thongpussawan et. al. 2009): S1 – highly suitable, S2 – moderately suitable, S3 –
marginally suitable, and S4 – not suitable. The information on farmers’ practices on inputs used
was not found separately for the Central Plain; however, the information is available according
to the soil suitability (S1 to S4). The area of wet season rice under different land suitability
zones is shown in Table 6.
Table 6. Wet season rice production (ha) in rainfed and irrigated environments classified
according to land suitability zones (S1 – highly suitable, S2 – moderately suitable, S3 –
marginally suitable, and S4 – not suitable).
Region Area (ha)
S1 S2 S3 S4
Rainfed area
*Central - 878,605 1,267,863 4,817,239
**East 4,387 488,614 371,385 2,583,656
Whole Thailand 191,339 10,260,490 4,506,086 36,592,271
Irrigated area
*Central 166,538 757,156 683,025 5,356,989
**East 15,664 171,356 109,588 3,151,434
Whole Thailand 373,592 2,520,927 898,448 47,757,219
*Central region is divided by LDD in 19 provinces.
**Central region is divided by OAE in 26 provinces (Central-19 provinces + East-7 provinces).
Farmers’ practices on input use for the wet season rice in irrigated and non-irrigated
environments (according to soil suitability) are shown in Table 7 (Thongpussawan et al. 2009).
The 2008 figures (Table 4) suggest that about 1.5 M ha of rice grown in the Central Thailand is
mostly in the moderate to highly suitable zones (S1 and S2) (Table 6). The comparative data on
input use in irrigated rice in the Central Plain and other countries will be discussed separately
for different inputs. The data from Table 7 shows that farmers use 30 to 50% higher seed rate
than the recommendation given under Ricecheck (95 to 125 kg/ha). Also, Moya et al. (2004)
summarized comparative annual costs incurred on irrigated rice production in different countries
(Table 8). Among the different costs of production, labour (hired and family) constituted the
biggest share of total costs in the irrigated Central Plain as well as in the irrigated areas of
Central Luzon, the Philippines and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In Central Luzon and the
Mekong Delta, only 5-6% of total costs of production are outlaid on pesticides, whereas farmers
in the Central Plain spend around 14% of their total cost of production on pesticides.
9
Table 7. Average farmer’s practices on inputs used for major rice (wet season) in irrigated and non-irrigated areas (S1=highly
suitable; S2=moderately suitable; S3=marginally suitable; and S4=not suitable).
Inputs Irrigated area Non-irrigated area
S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3
Seed rate (kg/ha) 196 186 206 175 186 161
Machine used (hr/ha) 34.7 72.4 39.4 37.1 25.6 22.3
a
Labour (d/person/ha) 1.63 3.63 4.88 2.69 3.44 4.44
Chemical fertilizer(kg/ha) 262 282 318 265 242 221
Compost-pellet (kg/ha) 180 169 26 117 61 41
Compost (kg/ha) - 3.81 - - 10.69 9.88
FYM (kg/ha) - 21.2 24.5 37.8 234.3 143.5
b
Bio-liquid (l/ha) - 0.63 0.94 0.31 - 4.06
c
Marl (kg/ha) 15.3 - 340.4 - 9.4 47.4
Total pesticide (l/ha+kg/ha) 3.0 + 0.13 3.38 + 1.44 7.25 + 0.50 2.63 + 4.19 1.38 + 0.13 0.88 + 0.50
Herbicide (l/ha + kg/ha) 1.25 + 0.06 1.38 + 0.50 1.31 + 0.06 1.56 + 0.06 0.63 + 0.06 0.75 + 0.25
Fungicide (l/ha + kg/ha) 1.13 + 0.00 0.19 + 0.00 4.13 + 0.00 0.06 + 3.00 0.06 + 0.00 0.06 + 0.00
Others (l/ha + kg/ha) 1.63 + 0.063 1.81 + 0.94 1.81 + 0.44 1.00 + 1.13 0.69 + 0.06 0.06 + 0.25
d
Growth regulators (l/ha + 0.88 + 0.00 0.88 + 0.00 0.69 + 0.13 0.75 + 0.13 0.81 + 0.00 0.31 + 0.06
kg/ha)
e
Gasoline (l/ha) 34.25 24.81 45.38 27.69 22.69 23.06
Average yield (kg/ha) 5,120 4,380 4,220 3,760 2,930 2,430

a
Labour used for only seeding.
b
Farmers make themselves by fermenting organic waste such as vegetable, leaf, organic waste, and molasses.
c
Marl is lime used as soil amendment for acid sulphate soil reclamation.
d
Local dealers suggest this to farmers (and call it growth regulator), and there is no description on bottle.
e
For pumping water.
10
Table 8. Comparative annual costs (US$) of irrigated rice production in different countries in
1999 (Moya et al. 2004).
Item Costs (% of total costs/ha)
Central Central Mekong
Plain, Luzon, Delta,
Thailand Philippines Vietnam
Labour 207 (33) 501 (56) 435 (64)
Hired 95 415 60
Family 112 86 375
Fertilizer 125 (20) 139 (16) 95 (14)
Machine rental and fuel cost 147 (23) 109 (12) 40 (6)
Pesticides 91 (14) 47 (5) 44 (6)
Seeds 61 (10) 63 (7) 56 (8)
Other costs 4 (1) 29 (3) 12 (2)
Total costs/ha 636 888 683
Total costs/ton of paddy 59 96 74
2.1 Fertilizer use
In Thailand, the annual chemical fertilizer use increased more than 100 times (Figure 2)
between 1961 and 2004 (from 18 thousand tonnes in 1961 to 2 million tonnes in 2004). In spite
of this increase in fertilizer use, the yield of rice only doubled in 45 years (Figure 2). Thai
farmers have increased fertilizer use at high rates without seeing a corresponding increase in
yield, and there are now examples of overuse and inappropriate use of fertilizers in Thai
agricultural systems (Tirado et al. 2008). This indicates a higher rate of loss of fertilizers into the
environment.
Figure 2. Fertilizer consumption (left axis) and rice and maize yield (right axis) in Thailand from 1961 to
2005 (cited by Tirado et al. 2008).
Total fertilizer used by farmers’ in different soil suitability zones are reported in Table 7.
Satawathananont et al. (2004) summarized baseline agronomic characteristics of irrigated rice
production on 24 farms at Suphan Buri, Central Thailand. In our analysis, these characteristics
11
were compared with the agronomic characteristics of the irrigated rice in the Philippines (Table
9). In both seasons, agronomic and recovery efficiencies of N were lower in Thailand,
suggesting larger N losses in Thailand than in the Philippines.
Table 9. Baseline agronomic characteristics of irrigated rice production (WS = wet season; DS =
dry season) on 24 farms at Suphan Buri, Central Thailand (Satawathananont et al. 2004) and
27 farms of Nueva Ecija, Philippines (Gines et al. 2004).
Agronomic characteristics Thailand Philippines
1995 WS 1996 DS 1995 WS 1996 DS
crop crop crop crop
Grain yield (t/ha) 3.46 4.48 3.49 5.67
Fertilizer N use (kg/ha) 93.00 110.60 84.30 123.20
Fertilizer P use (kg/ha) 21.90 23.80 13.20 14.20
Fertilizer K use (kg/ha) 0.00 0.90 14.70 22.20
Agronomic efficiency of N 4.90 11.60 8.40 18.30
(kg/kg)
Recovery efficiency of N 0.13 0.22 0.22 0.35
(kg/kg)
Table 10. Mean fertilizer N, P, and K use (kg/ha) in dry (DS) and wet (WS) seasons (1994-99) in
Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Site N P K
DS WS DS WS DS WS
Central Plain, Thailand 112 99 21 21 1 1
Central Luzon, Philippines 130 88 15 13 22 18
Mekong Delta, Vietnam 90 95 14 14 10 13
Red River Delta, Vietnam 103 94 23 23 35 31
Moya et al. (2004) reported mean fertilizer use in irrigated rice in three countries (Table 10). The
sampled farms were at least 20. Fertilizer use in Thailand was very similar between the studies
(Table 9 and 10) of Moya et al. (2004) and Satawathananont et al. (2004). Farmers in Thailand
essentially apply no K fertilizer. K may be less necessary at this site because nearly all straw
(rich in K) is left on the ground after harvest by combines. Farmers also differ in their frequency
and timing of fertilizer application. In the Central Plain, the average numbers of fertilizer
applications were 2.6 in dry season and 2.4 in wet season (Moya et al. 2004). While in the
Central Luzon (Philippines) and Mekong Delta (Vietnam), the average numbers of fertilizer
applications were 2.5 and 3.0 in dry season, and 1.9 and 3.0 in the wet season, respectively
(Moya et al. 2004).
2.2 Pesticide use
Scientists of the Thailand Rice Department advised that region-wide data on pesticide use is not
being collected in Thailand. Our estimations of trends in pesticide use are made on the basis of
the quantity of pesticides imported. The total amount of imported pesticides in Thailand has
dramatically increased year by year. Most agricultural pesticides used in the country are
imported, and the quantities have increased three times from 1994 to 2005, reaching more than
80 thousand tonnes in 2004 (Figure 3). Initially, importation of pesticides was mostly in the form
of finished products. Currently, they are imported in different forms: active ingredients, additive
chemicals and separated packaging (Office of Industrial Economics 2002). In 2009, a total of
12
135.5 thousand tonnes of pesticides (herbicide 72.2%, insecticide 18.2%, fungicide 7.6%, and
others 2%) were imported in Thailand (raw data from DOA 2010). Herbicide use has increased
due to labour shortage and the associated growth in direct seeding. In order to save labour
costs, farmers often mix pesticides themselves without considering their synergistic effects
(Tirado et al. 2008). Rice is still an important crop for the pesticide market because of its large
growing area. Increasing pesticide use has been accompanied by other changes in pest control.
This is reflected in the increasing amount of application equipment owned by farmers.
Figure 3. Pesticide (tonnes) imported in Thailand between 1994 and 2005. Most pesticides used
in Thailand are imported (cited by Tirado et al. 2008).
The total pesticide use in S1 and S2 zones in the irrigated wet season rice crop is shown in
Table 7. Moya et al. (2004) summarized pesticide use (at least from 20 farms) in irrigated rice in
different countries (Table 11). Farmers in the Central Plain used higher amounts of all types of
pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and others, which include primarily fungicides and
molluscicides) than farmers in the Philippines and Vietnam. The differences in pesticide use
between wet and dry seasons were generally small.
Table 11. Pesticide use in irrigated rice in different countries from 1994 to 1999. The numbers of
farms were at least 20.
Site Insecticide Herbicide Others Total
(kg active ingredient/ha/crop)
Central Plain, Thailand 0.97 0.89 0.25 2.10
Central Luzon, Philippines 0.18 0.34 0.18 0.70
Mekong Delta, Vietnam 0.51 0.49 0.10 1.10
Red River Delta, Vietnam 0.61 0.65 0.34 1.60
Farmers in Thailand rely only on pesticides for pest management and use them in a
prophylactic manner which predisposes their crop to invading plant hoppers and other pests;
some farmers apply pesticides in cocktail mixtures of a variety of products including abamectin,
cypermethrin, chloropyrifos, BPMC (http://ricehoppers.net/2010/03/20/farmers-suffered-heavy-
financial-losses-from-bph-attacks/). Most farmers depend on the advice and recommendations
of the pesticide retail shopkeepers and end up using insecticides that have high visual kill
effects, that are less expensive, and that are extremely toxic to natural control agents. The
prophylactic sprays reduce the ecosystem resilience and make rice crops vulnerable to rapid
increases in hopper populations, leading to hopper burn of the rice crop. In 2009 and 2010, the
renewed outbreaks of brown plant hopper (BPH) are thought to be caused by a variety of
13
factors, mainly breakdown of Host-Plant resistance and ecological resilience by overuse of
pesticides, augmented by intensification and misuse of N fertilizers. The BPH, which also carry
virus diseases, infested several provinces in Central Thailand in the in season of 2009/10
(http://ricehoppers.net/2010/01/planthoppers-destroyed-30-of-province%e2%80%99s-rice-
production-in-thailand/). Agricultural authorities reported that about 78,400 ha were destroyed
which is about 30% of the Phichit province’s area (256,000 ha) of rice production. The Thai
government had to revise down the dry season rice production forecast by 16% from 8.3 million
tons to 7 millions (http://ricehoppers.net/2010/01/thailand-cuts-second-crop-rice-output-
forecasts-by-16-because-of-bph-and-water-shortage/). The total rice output for the 2009/10 is
now expected to be 29 million tons paddy if the BPH and water problems do not persist. This
expected output is about 2.4 million tons (or 7.6%) lower than the 31.4 million tons obtained in
the 2008/09 crop. This might add pressure on world rice prices.
2.3 Energy use
Agriculture is both a user and producer of energy. All agricultural operations (human labour,
animal power, fertilizer, fuels, and electricity) require energy in one form or another (Chamsing
et al. 2006). To assess the situation of energy consumption, Chamsing et al. (2006) collected
primary data for energy input resources for crop production in 2000/01 by field survey and
personal interviews of farmers. The total energy input and output in irrigated and rainfed rice in
Central Plain is shown in Table 12; around 45% of the total energy input for irrigated rice is
associated with fertilizer use.
The comparative total energy input and output are shown in Table 13. The total energy input
used for rice production was lower in Thailand than in India and Pakistan. This was mainly due
to higher use of machineries and fuel in India and Pakistan to produce irrigated rice.
We calculated input energy for the fertilizer and pesticide use shown in Table 10 and 11. The
quantity of inputs and equivalent energy (MJ) used for the conversion were: 1 kg N = 60.6 MJ, 1
kg P = 11.1 MJ, 1 kg K = 6.7 MJ, 1 kg chemical = 120 MJ, and 1 kg rice = 14.7 MJ (Chaudhary
et al. 2006). The input energy for fertilizer and pesticide use in different countries are shown in
Table 14. The comparative data suggest that the energy inputs for N and P fertilizers were more
in Thailand than in Vietnam. Compared to the Philippines and Vietnam, Thailand had also
greater energy inputs for insecticide and herbicides (Table 14). According to the Ricecheck, the
Thai farmers in the central irrigated region should use 1400-1840 MJ/ha of energy input on
seed, but the current use in S1 and S2 zones is 2810 MJ/ha; 35-50% higher than
recommended.
14
Table 12. Energy input and output (Megajoule, MJ = 1 million joules) for irrigated and rainfed
rice production in the Central Plain region (Chamsing et al. 2006).
Item Irrigated rice Rainfed rice
Energy input (MJ/ha)
a
Direct energy inputs
Human labour 24.1 24.2
Mechanical power source 4,760.0 3,739.5
a
Indirect energy inputs
Energy sequester for mechanical 3,062.2 2,096.5
power
Seed 2,637.1 2,283.6
Chemical fertilizer
N 8,232.8 4,758.0
P2O5 1,101.9 416.5
K2O - 50.9
Herbicide 191.7 111.0
Pesticide 461.0 -
Energy for farm operations 17,408.6 11,383.7
Total energy input 20,470.8 13,480.2
Energy outputs (MJ/ha)

Main product 67,756.8 -
By-product 13,551.4 -
Total energy output 81,308.2 38,127.7
b
Energy ratio 4.0 2.8
a
The direct energy are the energy which are released directly from power sources for crop production
while the indirect energy are those which are dissipated during various conversion processes like energy
consumed indirectly in manufacturing, storage, distribution and related activities.
b
The ratio of energy output of the production to input energy.
Table 13. Total energy input and output (MJ/ha) for irrigated rice production in different
countries (Chamsing et al. 2006; Chaudhary et al. 2006; Khan et al. 2009).
Item Thailand Pakistan India
Total energy input (MJ/ha) 20471 40183 28421
Total energy output 81308 167334 71957
Energy ratio 4.0 4.2 2.5
Table 14. Energy input (MJ) in irrigated rice in different countries from 1994 to 1999 (data from
Moya et al. 2004 and Chaudhary et al. 2006 were used to calculate energy input).
Item Central Plain, Central Luzon, Mekong Delta, Red River Delta,
Thailand Philippines Vietnam Vietnam
Energy input (MJ)/ha/crop
Fertilizer
N 6393 6605 5606 5969
P 233 155 155 255
K 7 134 77 221
Total 6633 6895 5838 6446
Pesticide
Insecticide 116 22 61 73
Herbicide 107 41 59 78
Others 30 22 12 41
Total 252 84 132 192
15
2.4 Water use
In 2008, total irrigated area in Thailand (already developed) was 4,594,863 ha, out of which
3,852,034 ha was covered by large and medium scale irrigation projects, and the rest of the
area was covered by small scale irrigation projects and electric pumps (Royal Irrigation
Department 2009). The area covered under the river basins in Thailand was 51,210,700 ha, and
the potential area (irrigated area where soil is suitable for rice production) was 9,647,079 ha.
The ratio of irrigated area to potential area for rice production is therefore approximately 48%.
There are 15,632 projects for irrigation from before the National Plan to 2009, which can be
separated into large scale (92), medium scale (731), small scale (12,673), and electric water
pumps (2,136). The area covered by water resources development projects in Central Plain and
whole Thailand is shown in Table 15.
Table 15: The area covered by water resources development projects in Central Plain and
whole Thailand from 2003 to 2008 (RII 2009).
Region Area (000 ha)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009
Whole Kingdom 3,638 3,645 3,704 3,781 3,798 3,852
Central Thailand 2,118 2,118 2,074 2,090 2,098 2,131
In 2008, a total of 2,344 water resources development projects were initiated in the Central
region, which store 31,261.52 million m3 of water and cover irrigable3 area of 2,201,005 ha and
the beneficiary4 non-irrigated area of 302,717 ha. The details of four kinds of projects are:
¾ Large scale: 50 irrigation projects with water storage capacity of 30,031 million m3, and
cover irrigated area of 1,948,838 ha.
¾ Medium scale: 133 irrigation projects with water storage capacity of 910.20 million m3,
and cover irrigated area of 182,395 ha.
¾ Small scale: 2,005 irrigation projects with water storage capacity of 320.32 million m3,
and cover irrigated area of 21,596 ha and beneficial area of 302,477 ha.
¾ Water electric pump: 156 projects which cover the irrigated area of 48,176 ha and
beneficial area of 240 ha.
In 1998, the numbers of pumps in Thailand were 3 million, 56% of which were found in the
Central region (Molle et al. 2003); however, the information was not found on the use of pumps
by individual farmer vs standard irrigation. Rivers in the Central region include Chao Phraya,
Tha Chin, Maenam Noi, Lop Buri, Pasak River, Mae Klong, Petchburi, Pranburi, and Nakhon
Nayok.
In Thailand, water scarcity in the dry season is a major constraint for rice production every year;
water storage in the dams reached a critical low level in the dry season of 2010 (information in
Thai language; http://www.thairice.org/news/news872010/somkiat.ppt). The information on the
website indicates that 75% of water demand is for agriculture, mostly for paddy, 4% for
3
Irrigable areas mean the areas under the services of large and medium-scale irrigation projects of the
Royal Irrigation Department, where there are the systems to provide water for agriculture, consumption,
industry, tourism, etc. and to control flood as well as water quality.
4
Beneficiary areas mean the areas that cannot get direct services from large and medium-scale irrigation
projects but farmers use electric water pumps or other methods to get water from irrigation canal and
utilize it in their farms.
16
household consumption, 4% for industries, and rest (17%) must be kept in water resources. In
conclusion, total water demand in the whole country is 73,787 million m3/year but the water
supply capacity is maximum of 52,500 million m3/year.
The desk study revealed very no to very little data on water use by rice in the Central Plain of
Thailand. In a recent newspaper article [Post Today (Thai), 24 June 2010], the Director of the
Rice Department of Thailand reported that farmers are using about 7,500-11,250 m³ of
water/ha/crop, and that the proportion of water used for rice production is about 70% of the total
water utilized by the whole country. Assuming this number is for irrigation in the dry season and
adding the mean dry season rainfall of 254-355 mm to these estimates, total water inputted to
rice fields in the dry season becomes an estimated 1000-1500 mm. Bouman et al (2006)
reported that across Asia, water inputs in rice fields range from as little as 400 mm in heavy clay
soils with shallow groundwater tables to more than 2000 mm in coarse-textured (sandy or
loamy) soils with deep groundwater tables. Around 1300-1500 mm is a typical value for irrigated
rice in Asia. Outflows of water by seepage and percolation account for about 25-50% of all
water inputs in heavy soils with shallow water tables and 50-85% in coarse-textured soils with
deep water tables of 1.5 m depth or more. The other outflow of water is evapotranspiration,
accounting for the balance of water inputted minus seepage and percolation flows. Chumpagern
et al. (2008) performed irrigation experiments at Suphanburi Rice Research Center and
Pathumthani Rice Research Center during 2001-2003 and 2006-2007, and reported an average
evapotranspiration flow of 716 mm, suggesting average seepage and percolation losses of 284-
784 mm (or 28-48% of the estimated total water inputted in the Central Plain). Many water-
saving irrigation technologies exist that reduce seepage and percolation losses from rice fields,
such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), Saturated Soil Culture (SSC), and dry seeding.
However, it should be realized that, though seepage and percolation are losses at the field level,
they are often captured and reused downstream and do not necessarily lead to true water
depletion at the irrigation area or basin scales. No measurements of water reuse in the Central
Plain have been found during this desk-study, but data from a large scale surface irrigation
system in the Philippines revealed that water reuse by pumping and check dams was 7% and
22% of the applied surface water (Hafeez et al. 2007).
Chumpagern et al. (2008) reported for their field experiments a Water Use Efficiency from
flooded rice of 0.52-0.55 kg paddy rice per unit evapotranspired water. With the estimated
284-784 mm seepage and percolation losses, this translates into a total Water Productivity of
0.24-0.36 kg paddy rice per unit total water inputted. In Asia, the field-level WP varies widely
but most commonly ranges between 0.2 and 0.4 (Figure 4), suggesting that the Central Plain
performs ‘on average’. The water-saving irrigation technologies mentioned above can
increase WP of rice considerably. Studies in lowland rice areas in China and the Philippines
showed that AWD reduces water inputs by around 15-30% (compared with continuously
flooded conditions) and improves water productivity, without a significant impact on yield
(Bouman et al. 2006). The report by Chumpagern et al. (2008) also reports on water savings
and increases in WP through AWD and SSC, but since it is not clear to what water flows
(evapotranspiration, or irrigation water input) these values refer, we don’t repeat them here
(we had access to an English Abstract only).
17
Figure 4. Frequency distribution of water productivity with respect to total water inputs from field
experiments in India, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia (Sources: Tuong et al. 2005). Most of the data
on the left of the x–axis are from India, with local varieties on light soils and deep groundwater table, while
those on the right are from China, with hybrid rice, clay soil, and shallow groundwater table.
2.5 Labour and capital inputs
In Thailand, a socio-economic survey of households in crop year 2006/07 found that number of
family member per household decreased in the past 10 years, from 4.75 persons/household in
the crop year 1998/99 to 3.95 persons/household in the crop year 2006/07 (www.oae.go.th). In
the Central region, the number of family decreased from 4.48 to 4.04 persons/household and
labour in family decreased from 3.20 to 2.77 persons/household. The decreasing size of family
is influencing the amount of labour available per household.
Table 16. Socioeconomic characteristics of sample farms in 1999.

Site No. of Farm size (ha) Mean Mean Mean
farms Mean Minimum Maximum age of education family
farmer (yr) size
Central Plain, 23 4.00 0.96 7.96 49 4.6 5
Thailand
Central Luzon, 26 2.18 0.50 6.28 54 7.6 6
Philippines
Mekong Delta, 20 0.97 0.26 2.20 49 7.4 6
Vietnam
Moya et al. (2004) summarized some basic socioeconomic characteristics of the sample farms
under intensively irrigated rice in different countries (Table 16). The average level of education
of the farmers in Central Plain was around 5 years of school, which was lower than the
education levels of farmers from Vietnam (7.4 years) and the Philippines (7.6 years). In the
irrigated Central Plain, only 0.9 person-days/ha are used for hand weeding, while in Mekong
Delta, Vietnam, this value is 8.3 person-days/ha (Moya et al. 2004).
Labour distribution and labour use in different irrigated rice countries are shown in Figure 5
(Moya et al. 2004). Wages in Thailand are relatively high for Southeast Asia, as a result, these
farmers use the least amount of labour, about 14 person-days/ha/crop (Figure 5). Wages are
high because of the widespread availability of jobs in the industrial and service sectors in nearby
Bangkok and its surrounding. High wage rates have provided incentives for farmers to reduce
18
labour use. The reduced labour use has led to two major developments. Crop establishment in
Thailand is by direct seeding instead of the more labour-intensive system of transplanting, and
land preparation, harvesting, and threshing are fully mechanized. All Thai farmers under this
study used a combine harvester-thresher that can finish 1 ha of rice in 4 h with only four
accompanying operators. Farmers in Suphan Buri, Thailand use an average of only 5 person-
days/ha to carry out all harvest and postharvest operations versus more than 80 person-days/ha
in northern Vietnam (Figure 5). The labour used in rice production consists of both family labour
and hired labour. The small amount of labour used in Central Plain (Suphan Buri) is split about
equally between family and hired labour.
Figure 5. Labour distribution by activities (upper) and labour use by source (lower) in irrigated rice
countries (Moya et al. 2004). The data is from 1994-99, and numbers of farms were at least 20 at each
site (PR = PhilRice, Philippines; SB = Suphan Buri, Thailand; CL = Cuu Long, Mekong Delta, Vietnam;
SU = Sukamandi, Indonesia; AD = Aduthurai, India; HA = Hanoi, Vietnam; JI = Jinhua, China).
Moya et al. (2004) summarized comparative annual costs incurred on irrigated rice production in
different countries (Table 8). Among the different costs of production, labour (hired and family)
constituted the biggest share of total costs in the irrigated Central Plain as well as in the
irrigated areas of Central Luzon and Mekong Delta. Labour costs in intermediate levels of labour
use countries (e.g., Philippines, southern Vietnam) account for a little bit more than half of total
costs, whereas, in Thailand, where mechanization is quite advanced, labour constitutes 33% of
total costs. Machine rental in Thailand accounts for nearly one-quarter of total costs. It must be
acknowledged that the cost estimates in Table 8 do not reflect which countries have a
comparative advantage for producing rice.
3. Climate impact
In rice, the use of fertilizers increases environmental pollution and generates emissions of
greenhouse gases, particularly methane. The flooding of fields cuts off oxygen supply, and then
anaerobic microorganisms ferment the organic matter in the soil, leading to the production of
19
methane (Ferry 1992). In the early 1980s, it was estimated that lowland rice fields emitted about
10-20% of the then estimated global methane emissions (Kirk 2004). Recent measurements,
however, show that many rice fields emit substantially less than those investigated in the early
1980s, and also, methane emissions have actually decreased since the early 1980s because of
changes in crop management practices such as a decreased use of organic inputs. However,
the uncertainty about methane emissions from rice fields is higher than most other sources in
the global methane budget (Van der Gon et al. 2000). Current estimates of annual methane
emissions from rice fields are being 5-10% of total global emissions of about 600 Tg (Kirk 2004).
The magnitude and pattern of methane emissions from rice fields are mainly determined by
water regimes, the level of organic inputs, and to a lesser extent by soil type, weather, tillage,
residue management, fertilizer use, and the rice cultivar (Bouman et al. 2006). Organic manure
generally enhances methane emissions. Flooding of the soil is a prerequisite for sustained
emissions of methane. Mid-season drainage, a common irrigation practice adopted in major
rice-growing regions in China and Japan, greatly reduces methane emissions. Few accurate
assessments have been made of emissions of nitrous oxide from rice fields, and the
contribution to global emissions has not yet been assessed. In irrigated rice systems with good
water control, nitrous oxide emissions are small except when excessively high fertilizer-N rates
are applied. In irrigated rice fields, the bulk of nitrous oxide emissions occur during fallow
periods and immediately after flooding of the soil at the end of the fallow period.
The results of a recent case study in Thailand show that the global warming potential of rice
production per kg was 2927 g CO2-eq, followed by 3.2 g SO2-eq of acidification, and 12.9 g
NO3-eq of eutrophication (Kasmaprapruet et al. 2009). In this study, 95% of the global warming
inputs to the system were associated with the cultivation process and 2% with the harvesting
process. In Thailand, methane emission per unit grain from direct wet-seeding rice with
continuous flooding was 35-45 g CH4 per kg grain and intermittent soil aerating provided 14-23
g CH4 per kg grain (Saenjan and Saisompan, 2004). To reduce methane emissions from paddy
fields, the options include using enhanced rice production technology such as minimizing the
use of green manure and substituting pre-fermented compost from farm residues, adding nitrate
or sulphate containing nitrogen fertilizer to suppress methane gas production, or change rice
cultivation practices (described in Kasmaprapruet et al. 2009).
In irrigated paddy rice field, methane emission was 153-220 kg/ha/year in China, and 224
kg/ha/year in the Philippines. Methane emission from rainfed paddy field was 137 kg/ha/year in
Indonesia and in deep water paddy field, the methane emission was 98 kg/ha/year in
Prachinburi, Thailand (Corton and Bajita 1998; Kimara 1992; Wangfang et al. 1996). It should
be acknowledged that much of this methane emission would also occur from natural wetlands
(natural state of many lowland rice areas). The use of organic fertilizer in paddy field such as
farmyard manure, rice straw and green manure would be the source of methane emission.
Ploughing will disturb surface soil and results in more methane emission (Charoensilp et al.
1993).
Bouman et al (2006) summarized the expectations of water management to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions from rice: “In general, fewer methane emissions are expected under aerobic than
under flooded conditions, but higher nitrous oxide emissions are expected. Midseason drainage
and intermittent irrigation can reduce methane emission by over 40% (Wassmann et al. 2009).
However, the relative emissions of greenhouse gases vary with environment and management
practices. The variability in greenhouse gas emissions from conventional flooded rice fields and
from two water-saving systems, unsaturated soil covered by plastic film and unsaturated soil
covered by straw mulch, at three sites in China were illustrated by Dittert et al. (2002). Methane
emissions were highest from flooded rice at all three sites. Nitrous oxide emissions were lowest
20
from flooded rice at Nanjing and Guangzhou, but similar among all three systems at Beijing.
When both methane and nitrous oxide emissions were converted into equivalent CO2 emissions
and summed, flooded rice had the lowest global warming potential at Nanjing and highest global
warming potential at Guangzhou, whereas all three systems had similar global warming
potentials at Beijing. Thus, the overall impact of an adoption of water-saving management
practices in rice production on global warming is poorly known and needs more study”.
As yet unpublished experiments at IRRI demonstrated the potential of AWD to reduce the
Global Warming Potential of rice. AWD irrigation management decreased CH4 emission by
approximately 60-90% during dry seasons and approximately 35-45% through a year. A 1-
month earlier tillage (rice straw incorporation with soil) decreased CH4 emission by
approximately 60% through a year. AWD managements increased N2O emission compared with
a continuously flooding management, but if N fertilizer was applied immediately after irrigation,
AWD significantly decreased the global warming potential (GWP) of paddy fields calculated
from both CH4 and N2O emissions due to its larger reduction capacity for CH4 emission.
4. Environmental impact
Most of the information presented in this section is taken from Tirado et al. (2008). Changes in
water quality associated with rice production may be positive or negative, depending mainly on
management practices associated with fertilizer and pesticides use (Bouman et al. 2006). The
quality of the water leaving rice fields may be improved as a result of the capacity of the wetland
ecosystem to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. On the other hand, nitrogen transfer from
flooded rice fields by direct flow of dissolved nitrogen in floodwater through runoff/drainage
warrants more attention. High nitrogen pollution of fresh waters has been found in lowland rice-
growing regions where fertilizer rates are excessively high, for example, in Jiangsu Province in
China (Bouman et al. 2006). Around 95% of freshwater in Thailand is withdrawn to irrigate more
than 5 million ha of irrigated agriculture. Due to the high use of agrochemicals in Thailand in
recent years, there is a high potential for pollution of water sources through irrigation runoff,
return flows and infiltration. Surface and groundwater are the primary water sources for tap and
drinking water for the Thai people. In rural areas, which accounts for nearly 70% of the
population, there are many problems related to water quality due to microbiological and
chemical contaminations from both surface and groundwater sources.
Surface water: The Pollution Control Department monitors the water quality in the major rivers
and lakes in Thailand. The major causes of water pollution in the country are related to fecal
coliform bacteria, high solids, organic matter and nutrients (phosphates, ammonia and nitrates)
(Simachaya 2002). More than 40% of Thailand’s surface waters are in “poor” or “very poor”
quality (Tirado et al. 2008). No surface water was categorized as “very good” quality (extra
clean water which is suitable for aquatic animals and human consumption after normal
treatment).
Groundwater: Groundwater in Thailand is a source of drinking water within households and

supplements surface water for agriculture and livestock uses. It is estimated that 75% of
domestic water is obtained from groundwater sources. Increasing demand for water has led to a
growing unsustainable reliance on groundwater. Moreover, groundwater pollution is occurring
from a number of sources.
21
More leaching of nitrate is expected with increased soil aeration (either with growing rice under
non flooded conditions, or with the shift to upland crops) than under flooded conditions. Nitrate
leaching from flooded rice fields, however, is normally negligible because of rapid denitrification
under anaerobic conditions. In the Philippines, for example, nitrate pollution of groundwater
under rice-based cropping systems was found to surpass the 10 mg/litre limit for safe drinking
water only when highly fertilized vegetables were included in the cropping system (Bouman et
al. 2002). In the Indian Punjab, however, an increase in nitrate of almost 2 mg/litre was recorded
between 1982 and 1988, with a simultaneous increase in fertilizer N consumption of 56 to 188
kg/ha, most of which would have been used on rice-wheat cropping systems (Bijay-Singh et al.
1991). The relative contribution from rice crops to this increase, however, is not clear.
The study on quality of water from natural water resources in Thailand reported that nutrients
are leached from soil every year and could be computed in term of fertilizer by regions (Table
17; Limthong 2009). However, the relative contribution of irrigated rice to nutrient leaching is not
known. In economic term, the nutrient losses are worth of up to 8,480 million Baht/year (1,300
million Baht of urea, 2,340 million Baht of TSP, and 4,840 million Baht of KCl). Agricultural soils
are degraded and need to be improved because of nutrients lost not only by crop removal but
also by leaching and run off. The area under different levels of soil leaching and erosion is
shown in Table 5 (Limthong 2009).
Table 17. Estimated nutrients lost by leaching and run off to natural water resources (Limthong
2009).
Region Nutrients lost (ton/year)
N P2O5 K2O
North 44,300 10,016 168,126
Northeast 13,700 26,885 171,339
Central and East 15,300 73,802 83,317
South 62,000 15,815 201,407
Total 135,300 126,518 624,188
Agriculture contributes directly to nitrate pollution in water resources through fertilizer runoff.
Often, too much N fertilizer is applied to crop soils, and the excess that is not used by the plants
runs-off polluting groundwater, rivers, and finally coastal areas. Drinking water polluted with
nitrates poses health risks, especially to children. Approximately, 95% of surface water
withdrawn in Thailand is used by the agricultural sector, particularly for paddy rice, which is the
major crop in the country. Water pollution resulting from discharges from paddy fields is
becoming more serious, particularly in river basins where rice is the main economic crop.
Discharges of nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides are the main pollutants from paddy rice
farming affecting water quality. Water pollution caused by rice farming also affects the natural
populations of fish and other aquatic fauna. In Pranburi Irrigation Project area (Prachuab Khiri
Khan province) the density of fish and benthic faunas in 2005 was less than half in the section
downstream of the paddy irrigation area compared to that in the upstream section (away from
the influence of rice farming). A study in a pilot rice paddy field located at the Asian Institute of
Technology (AIT campus, Pathumthani) showed that 20% of the nitrogen applied as fertilizers to
paddy fields found its way into the river basin through surface runoff and percolation. A recent
survey done by Greenpeace found examples of water pollution with nitrates in intensive farming
areas in the Central Plain (Kanchanaburi and Suphanburi) (Tirado 2007). In Suphanburi, two of
the five wells sampled in farms had nitrates levels higher than the safety limit established by the
WHO.
22
Lakes and coastal areas polluted with nitrates cause major problems by eutrophication and
massive growth of harmful algae. Nutrients from agricultural and domestic waste sources have
resulted in eutrophication of major water bodies worldwide. Eutrophication causes loss of
productivity due to low dissolved oxygen concentrations in water, but of particular concern is the
explosive growth of algae (cyanobacteria) and toxins production. Recent studies in Thai
reservoirs have found blooms of toxin-producing algae in the water bodies. In particular,
nitrogen and phosphorus are the two major nutrients driving growth of algae in the reservoir.
The runoff from Thailand’s four principal rivers ends into the Gulf causing eutrophication: the
Chao Phraya is the most polluted of the four rivers, particularly in the river estuary area due to
the urban and industrial expansion. The Thachin river is becoming increasingly polluted due to
accelerated agricultural and industrial development as well as urban expansion from the
Bangkok area. Eutrophication can cause explosive bloom of algae, frequently in the form of red
tides. On occasion, paralytic shellfish poisoning after consuming contaminated mussels in the
red tide area of Pranburi river estuary have occurred, causing some human deaths. Anoxic
conditions due to algal blooms could cause massive fish kills.
5. Health impact
Most of the information presented in this section is taken from Tirado et al. (2008). Babies and
infants living around agricultural areas and who drink water from wells are the most vulnerable
to health risks from nitrates. Additionally, anyone drinking from a contaminated well with high
nitrate levels could be vulnerable to the long-term effects of nitrates, such as various types of
cancer (Greer et al. 2005). The greatest risk of nitrate poisoning is considered to be the blue
baby syndrome which occurs in infants given nitrate-laden water. Blue-baby syndrome occurs
when the haemoglobin in the blood losses its capacity to carry oxygen and this can ultimately
cause asphyxia and death. Due to intensive fertilizer use and run-off, harmful algal blooms may
occur which can lead to the proliferation of algal species that produce toxins. When the algae
are ingested by shellfish this can result in neurological, amnesic, paralytic, and/or diarrheic
shellfish poisoning in human consumers.
Over the past decade, pressure to sustain high rice yields has led to heavy usage of pesticides.
In 2003, 131 thousand tonnes of pesticides were used in Thailand and 2,406 cases of pesticide
poisoning were reported. Several factors contribute to the direct health risks associated with
pesticides, including the mixing pesticides as “toxic cocktails”, increasing pesticide dosages
over recommended limits, preference for strong and fast acting pesticides, improper disposal of
empty containers, using inappropriate pesticides, and lack of education on handling the
pesticides.
6. Best Management Practices and options to improve resource

efficiency
In the following section we summarize current resource use in the Central plain, and list
opportunities to increase resource use efficiencies through Thai GAP (1), as identified by the
Thai Rice Department (2), and as identified from international comparisons (3).
23
6.1 Current resource use
In 2008/9, rice yields in the Central Plain were 3.7 t/ha in the wet season and 4.5 t/ha in the
(irrigated) dry season. These yields are lower than the average irrigated yield in tropical Asia of
around 5 t/ha and of 5.2 t/ha as reported by Witt et al. (1999) for sites in China, India, Indonesia,
Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, across DS and WS seasons of 1995-1997 (Bouman et al,
2002). Potential yield levels of current, high-yielding modern varieties are estimated to be
around 6 t/ha in the wet season and 8 t/ha in the dry season (IIRI, in prep), so yield gaps are
considerable.
Labour is scarce and costly (constituting around 33% of all inputs costs) and has driven
mechanization, direct seeding, and use of herbicides over manual weeding. The pressure of
high labour price is similar in countries like the Philippines and Vietnam.
Fertilizer-N use is around 110 kg/ha in the dry season rice and 100 kg/ha in the wet season.
Across different sites in Asia (see above), Witt et al. (1999) reported fertilizer-N uses of 118±40
kg/ha. Reported N recoveries and agronomic N-use efficiencies (AEN), however, were very low
in the Central Plain, with values of 13 (WS) and 22 (DS) %, and 4.9 (WS) and 11.6 (DS) kg/kg,
respectively. For comparison, Ladha et al. (2005) reported recovery rates of 27-50% and AEN
values of 18-24 kg grain increase per kg N applied for rice (25-75% quartile over large data set
from experimental fields). Dobermann et al. (2004) reported average recoveries in rice of 31%
from on-farm assessments and 41% determined in researcher-managed plots in farmers’ fields.
Clearly, there is scope for increasing the N use efficiencies in the Central Plain.
The main river basin in the Central Plain, the Chao Phraya, is a “closed basin” (IWMI, pers.
comm.), meaning that all available water is used or committed with no ‘spare’ capacity’. Rice
production receives some 75% of all developed water resources and still water scarcity is a
main constraint in the dry season. Despite lack of concrete data, continuous flooding of rice
seems to be the dominant and recommended system, and water use indicators suggest ‘an
average’ performance of the Central Plain.
Mean pesticide use in the Central Plain of Thailand is 2.08 kg active ingredients (a.i.)/ha, which
is lower than for irrigated rice in Zhejiang Province, China (3.80 kg a.i./ha), but higher than for
irrigated rice in the Philippines (0.65-1.4 kg a.i./ha), the Red River delta, Vietnam (1.75 kg
a.i./ha), west Java, Indonesia (1.56 kg a.i./ha), the Mekong delta, Vietnam (1.06 kg a.i./ha), and
Tamil Nadu, India (0.44 kg a.i./ha) (Bouman et al. 2002). Recent and devastating outbreaks of
Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), which also carry rice viral diseases, are thought to be caused by a
variety of factors, mainly breakdown of host-plant resistance and ecological resilience because
of overuse of pesticides and by intensification and misuse of N fertilizers.
6.2 ThaiGAP and Ricecheck
There is limited information on the impact of ThaiGAP and Ricecheck systems on improving
resource efficiency in the irrigated rice production in Thailand. In the ‘preface’ of the Ricecheck
manual, it was mentioned that farmers who used Thai Ricecheck increased their rice yield by
26% and reduced cost investment by 16%; however, no other details are given in the manual.
The current Ricecheck system does not include the latest water saving, nutrient management,
and pest (weeds, insects, and diseases) management technologies.
24
6.3 Inventory of scope for improving resource efficiency
The Thai Rice Department has identified the following measures to improve resource efficiency:
Research and Development measures
1. There is a need to develop new high yielding varieties and varieties resistant to BPH and
other insect pests and diseases, high temperature, drought etc.
2. There is a need to develop new technologies, such as microorganism products for crop
protection or bio-pesticides, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Technologies are also
needed to develop rice production according to climate change, biotype and population
dynamics of insects pests, carbon footprint and carbon minimization for rice production system
in Thailand, and high nutritive value in rice grain.
3. On farm adaptive research and farmers’ adoption technologies for rice production in each rice
environment.
Production measures
1. Promotion of integrated crop management or Thai GAP for each rice ecologies and soil
groups in order to reduce the production cost and increase net profit.
2. Promote farmers group development and building up the strength network. There are Thai
Farmers Association, Community Rice Center (CRC) network, and Presidents of CRC at
various levels; national, regional, provincial and sub-district. The knowledge transfer from farmer
to farmer will be rapid in this way.
3. There is a need to strengthen the existing extension system for rice in the country. The
activities may include regular meetings from research and extension specialists, information
sharing for building up the rice extension program, and training for extension staff and farmer
leaders on how to increase agricultural input efficiency.
4. Thai government has brought a policy for farmers to grow rice only twice a year to reduce
risks from pests, water scarcity, and high inputs use, especially in the well-irrigated central and
lower North regions. Farmers’ practice of cultivating five crops per two years increases the risk
of BPH, depletes soil quality, and lowers productivity per unit area.
Incentive for farmers: The government would compensate the farmers who participate in the
plan by subsidizing the cost of high-quality seeds, green manure and encourage them to plant
other crops such as green beans, sweet corn, and maize as well as helping them with market
access. Farmers who do not participate could lose the right to participate in the government's
rice income insurance program.
5. Farmers usually follow recommendations from agrochemical local dealers; therefore,
workshops with major agrochemical companies should be organized to increase the awareness
local dealers about correct pesticide recommendation.
6. Warning on agrochemical issues, especially on pesticide and fertilizer application, through
farmers group, demonstration plots, field day etc.
7. There is a need to promote Qualified Rice Seed Enterprises in Thailand. The Rice
Department has a policy to invite seed enterprises to register for the seed trader database and
send the third party inspector to inspect the seed production process and give certification to
those enterprises. This could help the current problem of a shortfall in qualified seed. There is
also a need to promote seed production at a community level. The Rice Department promotes
Community Rice Centers (CRC) to produce qualify seed for farmers in communities.
8. Give financial help (medium and long term) at low interests to farmers who want to use
agricultural machineries for rice production activities to substitute labour shortage.
9. Government provide crop insurance to farmers in high risk areas, such as drought and flood
prone areas.
10. Transfer knowledge to farmers by using mass media; radio, TV, newspaper, etc.
25
6.4 Novel technologies for improvement of resource use efficiency
A number of new technologies for Natural Resources Management for irrigated rice have been
developed by IRRI and its partners elsewhere in Asia. Most of these technologies are
documented in IRRI’s Rice Knowledge Bank (www.knowledgebank.irri.org/rice.htm). Application
of these technologies would have two medium-term benefits: increased productivity of rice with
reduced the ecological footprint. Some of the proposed interventions to improve resource
efficiency in the Central Plain of Thailand are listed in Table 18. These technologies are
currently not included in the ThaiGAP; therefore, their validation and the benchmarking of
potential benefits in the Central Plain should be a priority.
Specific technologies include improved fertilizer management through site specific nutrient
management (SSNM), improved water productivity through Alternate Wetting and Drying
(AWD), and reduced pesticide use through integrated pest management (IPM) and Ecological
Engineering. Satawathananont et al. (2004), for example, suggested that SSNM with good crop
management may be profitable at Suphan Buri and rice yields could exceed 7 t/ha, a level rarely
achieved. Attanandana et al. (2007) reported that integrated crop management with SSNM had
much lower fertilizer cost (99 US$/ha); only 54% cost of the farmers’ practice. SSNM not only
reduced the fertilizer cost but the pesticides and seed used in the rice production were also
decreased by about $90/ha/crop in 4 provinces of Central Plain. The effective use of N fertilizer
could reduce the intensity of damage by insects and diseases to rice, and also reduce
environmental pollution. Adoption of AWD could reduce on-farm water use, reduce pumping and
energy cost, and reduce methane emissions. Together with adapted fertilizer and residue
management, AWD could reduce the total Global Warming Potential from rice production. IPM
and ecological engineering could reduce the use of pesticides drastically, which would increase
the ecological resilience and reduce environmental pollution and human health hazards.
26
Table 18. Major issues, proposed interventions and their possible impact on resource efficiency
in the Central Plain of Thailand.
Issue Proposed Impact on resource efficiency Levers
interventions
Intensive Plant two crops/year • Increase in land use efficiency Government
cropping • Reduction in pests, especially BPH policies
• Maintained soil quality
• Risk reduction of water scarcity
High seed rate Use seed rate • Reduction in costs Seed
according to the • Reduction in diseases and insect pests companies;
recommendation / extension
reduce average seed services
rates
Overuse of Adopt site specific • Improve nutrient use efficiency Fertilizer
fertilizer nutrient management • Reduce fertilizer use and cost companies;
• Reduction in insect pests and diseases extension
• Reduction in environmental pollution and services
contamination in drinking water and other
water resources
• Reduction in eutrophication
• Reduction in nutrient leaching and run-off
• Reduction in nitrous oxide emissions
Overuse of Increase ecological • Reduction in input cost Pesticide
pesticide and resilience by • Reduction in environmental pollution and companies;
outbreak of ecological contamination in drinking water extension
BPH and engineering; reduce • Improvement in human health services and
viruses overuse of pesticides • Reduction in development of resistance in farmers’ groups
through IPM; targeted pests
deployment of • Reduction in crop loss
resistance genes;
awareness in local
pesticide retailer
about sustainable use
of pesticides
Overuse of Adopt alternate • Increase in water use efficiency Research
water wetting and drying; • Reduction in water use institutes and
introduce laser • Reduction in fuel consumption and energy private
levelling inputs where water is applied by companies
electric/diesel pump
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emission,
e.g. methane
Intensive wet Adopt dry seeded rice • Improvement in soil structure and soil Research
tillage health institutes,
• Reduction in water use private
• Better tolerance to water and heat stress companies,
• Reduction in production cost extension staff
• Reduction in energy input
• Reduction in environmental pollution
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emission
(CH4 & N2O)
27
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30
Sub-study 2: Post harvest efficiency
Compiled by Amara Wiengweera and M. Gummert
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1
2. Description of the postproduction value chain and main actors................................................ 3
2.1. Markets/trade.................................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Thai rice............................................................................................................................ 4
2.3. Rice Market Structure....................................................................................................... 5
2.4. Value chain structure and governance.............................................................................. 7
2.5. Key Postproduction Stakeholders..................................................................................... 7
3. Postharvest issues, losses and efficiency gaps ........................................................................ 10
3.1. Rice................................................................................................................................. 10
3.2. Products from rice grains................................................................................................ 16
3.3. Rice by-products............................................................................................................. 16
4. Effect of production inefficiencies on postproduction ............................................................ 17
5. Comparison with other rice producing regions ....................................................................... 18
6. Potential other use of rice and by products ............................................................................. 20
6.1. Rice................................................................................................................................. 20
6.2. Bran ................................................................................................................................ 20
6.3. Husk................................................................................................................................ 20
6.4. Straw............................................................................................................................... 21
6.5. Innovative new products................................................................................................. 21
7. Response options at PH value chain level and policy for improved resource efficiencies ..... 22
7.1. Suggestions for further research..................................................................................... 23
7.2. Improving postharvest resource efficiency .................................................................... 23
8. Conclusions and Recommendations........................................................................................ 25
9. References ............................................................................................................................... 27
1. Introduction
This study was conducted within the context of the scoping study Resource efficiency and
ecosystems services in rice production in Thailand’s Central Plain: Baseline research. The
study is a follow-up activity to the UNEP Expert roundtable on improving resource efficiency in
Thai rice production, held at UNEP-ROAP, Bangkok, on 1-2 February 2010. As an outcome of
the UNEP meeting, it was suggested to conduct a pre-pilot desk survey to set a baseline and
determine whether there is sufficient scope for improvements of resource efficiencies in water
and nutrients in rice agriculture in the Central Plain of Thailand. Postharvest losses magnify
resource inefficiencies since they reduce milled rice in the market per liter of water or kilograms
of nutrients used in production and they cause the generation of more greenhouse gases (GHGs)
per kg of milled rice. Every percent lost in postproduction means one percent inputs wasted. This
Sub-study therefore also assesses the losses and inefficiencies in rice postproduction. As one of
four background papers produced in this study it will provide the basis for further decisions by
UNEP and its partners on the next steps for the “Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-
food supply chains” project.
Thailand: Resource efficiency and ecosystem services, Sub-study 2, Postharvest Page 2 of 29
The last comprehensive study of the “Marketing and post-harvest systems of paddy/rice in
Thailand” was conducted in April 1993 (Chantachaeng, C, 1993), postharvest loss assessments
and proper harvesting time looking mainly at the farm level and research stations were conducted
in the early eighties (Sittisung et al., 1983-1985; Kitkaundee and Aurairong, 1999; Varinruk,
1999), and since then only few projects have addressed rice postharvest issues.
The term Central Plain in this report refers to the 11 provinces determined by the geographic
reference outlined in Figure 1 of Sub-study 3. It is a region of Thailand covering the broad
alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from North-East Thailand (Isan) by the
Phetchabun mountain range, and another mountain range separates it from Myanmar to the west.
In the north it gently changes into the hilly terrain in Northern Thailand. The term Central
Thailand in this report refers to the four region system used by the Department of Agricultural
Economics for statistical data. Central Thailand in this sense includes 26 provinces as shown in
Figure 1.
Some statistics on rice culture in Central Thailand are shown in the Figure 2 and compared with
those of the whole kingdom. Central Thailand includes about two and a half million hectares of
paddy fields producing about ten million metric tons of rough rice annually. This comprise
roughly one third of the total production of Thailand. The average yield is about four metric ton
per hectare which is more or less the same as that of other Southeast Asian countries. Almost all
the varieties are non – glutinous.
The rice postharvest system provides a full and comprehensive approach that can be applied to
paddy and its derivatives (i.e. husks, bran, and polished rice grain, both broken and whole). Its
main concerns should be to: a) improve the capacity in implementing the main rice post-harvest
operations so that they become more efficient and ensure a valuable final primary product; b)
develop and use processing technology that adds value to secondary and by-products, as well as
to primary ones; c) consolidate development of the rice post-harvest agro-industry, not only
technically but also commercially, economically, politically, socially and environmentally
(Figure 3). The rice post-harvest system also includes ways of processing and using rice by-
products which generate extra income and improve the well-being and food security of
communities.
Figure 1: Central Thailand comprising of twenty-six provinces.

Figure 3: Post-harvest system

Figure 2: Rice production shared in the Central
Thailand compare to the other
regions of Thailand.
2. Description of the postproduction value chain and main actors

The postharvest value chain with paddy and milled rice flows is included in Figure 4 containing
the whole value chain, which is explained in more detail in Sub-study 4.
This section focuses on the postharvest players for more information about producers, input
suppliers and other stakeholders not represented in this diagram refer to Sub-study 4 and the
Multi stakeholder workshop report1.
Figure 4: Flows of Goods and Services in Thai Rice Industry. (Source: Adapted from Ministry of Commerce,
2009; Multi stakeholder workshop)
1
Workshop report: Stakeholder workshop for resource efficiency and ecosystems services in the rice value chain in
Thailand’s Central Plain. Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, 17-18 June 2010.
2.1. Markets/trade
In 2008 Thailand produced 22.1 million tons milled rice with the Central Thailand contributing 7
million tons. In Central Thailand 10% Hom Mali rice and 90% are other rice and while North
Eastern and Northern Thailand mainly produce Hom Mali, glutinous and Fragrant rice. Official
export of milled rice was 9 million tons, a reduction of one million ton compared to 2007 (IRRI,
2010, USDA data). Export of paddy is prohibited. The main export markets are Indonesia,
Nigeria, Iran, the United States, Singapore and the Philippines. Thailand’s success in
international rice trade is founded on high quality, long-grain white rice, which has a substantial
price advantage over modern, high yielding varieties. Since exports exceed the production of the
Central Plain and most of the high quality rice comes from other areas the postharvest sector of
the Central Plain also processes and trades a large percentage of rice from other areas in
Thailand.
Figure 5 shows physical flow of rice as paddy from

farmers to millers, 45% via private brokers, 25%
via government agencies and 30% directly from
farmers to millers. After milling, 10% of milled
rice is traded locally. Milled rice traded locally is
usually used for the preparation of cooked rice or
porridge. Broken rice is used for the preparation of
cakes, noodles, rice papers, rice wrappers, rice
crackers, puddings, muffins and other products.
The 90% is transferred to Bangkok. Of the rice that
is traded in Bangkok, 62% trades for domestic used Figure 5: Physical flows of rice (Modified data
and the rest of 28% is traded to exporters for from Ministry of Commerce, 2009.)
international markets.
Figure 4 and Figure 5 have slightly different numbers for milled rice traded internationally and
locally despite the data coming from the same source.
2.2. Thai rice

Thai milled rice traded locally and internationally falls under 6 categories:
1. Thai Hom Mali, formerly called Jasmine Rice 2: Also called Fragrant rice, Scented
rice, Aromatic rice. Hom Mali rice is a high fiber grain containing Vitamins B1, B2,
Niacin, Carbohydrates, Protein, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorous. It has famous reputation
in appearance, texture and aroma. There are different Hom Mali varieties and they are
mostly grown in Northern Thailand.
2. Glutinous Rice: Also called Thai Sticky Rice " or "Thai Sweet Rice". It has a medium to
long kernel, which silky smooth appearance of pure white color with soft and sticky
texture. The best glutinous rice is from the northern part of Thailand.
2
Hom Mali is a registered trademark for Thailand’s fragrant Rice, formerly known as Jasmine rice. It is mainly
defined by grain dimensions (long grain), amylose content (12-19%) and moisture content (<14%). Major varieties
are Klong Luang 1, Supanburi, Dock Mali 105, Pisanulok 1, and Patumthani.
3. Japanese Rice: It consists of 100% Sasanishiki variety, and is produced in the north of
Thailand under strictly controlled conditions to ensure its hygiene, freshness and taste.
4. Thai White Rice: High yielding varieties which can be grown throughout Thailand.
Mostly cultivated in the Central Plain. The grain after cooked is light and fluffy. This is
the most consumed rice in the world.
5. Parboiled Rice is produced by soaking, pressure streaming and drying the paddy before
milling. The rice is light yellow or amber color. This process has preserved its natural
vitamins and minerals and minimizes grain breakage during milling.
6. Brown Rice or unpolished rice. Only the husk is removed and the bran layer is left intact.
The coating of brown rice contains micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Brown rice
takes a little long time to cook. The texture is slightly sticky with nutty flavor and
therefore it is a niche market product.
The most commonly rice varieties grown in Central Thailand from 2007-2009 are Supanburi 1,
Patum Thani 1 and Chai Nat 1. Most of rice varieties are not photosensitive, except Khao Dawk
Mali 105 and some of traditional varieties. These are grown on 12% and 18% of the Central
Thailand area respectively (Table 1).
Table 1 Rice varieties grown in the Central Thailand with the percentage of the growing area in relation
to the total growing area in the Central Thailand (Source: Modified from OAE, 2010).
Rice variety Photo 2007 2008 2009

sensitive DS WS DS WS DS WS
Supanburi 1 36 18 30 17 25 17
Pathum Thani 1 19 14 26 13 25 14
Chai Nat 1,2 14 10 11 10 12 10
Supanbori 60,90 4 4 4 3 5 3
Pitsanulok 1,2 1 - 4 - 7 -
Hawm supanburi 1 - 1 - - -
RD varieties (anonym) 25 24 25 25 26 26
Khao Dawk Mali 105 9 - 12 - 12 - 12
Traditional varieties 9 - 18 - 18 - 18
2.3. Rice Market Structure

In general, the rice market system consists of the paddy market and the milled rice market. In the
paddy market middlemen such as local collectors/ traders, rice millers and various regional
central market entrepreneurs exist at various levels and are considered to have important roles in
trading the paddy from the farm to the mills. The milled rice market consists of middlemen such
as brokers, wholesales in Bangkok, retailers and exporters.
Paddy market
In general, paddy trade starts from November and lasts to October of the next year. However, the
peak of trading is during December to March. Consequently, the price of paddy is falling during
November to January and increasing in February, when the harvesting time of wet season crop
almost ended. The price decreases again in May to even lower levels. This is because the paddy
harvested in dry season, which is lower quality compared to wet season paddy, gets into the
market.
There are four major trading channels for paddy form farmers to millers. These are:
1. Farmers sell directly to the millers. Some farmers deliver paddy to the mills (30%), in
other cases sub-contractors of the millers buy the paddy at the farm site (35%).
2. Local traders or broker collects the paddy from farmers and sell to the millers. The paddy
trades via this way about 10% of the total.
3. Paddy trades via Agricultural Cooperatives or farmer group, which is about 5% of the
total market.
4. Paddy trades via government agencies such as Market Organization of Farmer (MOF),
Public Warehouse Organization (PWO), and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperative (BAAC). Paddy trades by this way about 20%.
Milled rice market
Roughly 55% of the milled rice from the mills goes into domestic markets either directly (25%)
through wholesalers or via brokers (30%). The remaining 45% of the milled rice are exported by
licensed exporters who either buy directly from millers (10%) from brokers (35%) (Figure 4).
In brief, the structure of the domestic rise market has shifted to a competitive system in every
step of marketing. For the paddy market, the government widely promoted the development of
marketing center in form of central markets. In these facilities farmers, local traders and millers
can precede their marketing activities with more convenience and at lower cost. For the milled
rice market, brokers still play the important role in providing service for millers and their
customers, and ensure the quality of rice products. Furthermore development of small bag
packaging of milled rice is become popular for consumer in the city. Therefore, the development
of standardize and hygienic milled rice in small packaging become an alternative for bulk milled
rice retailing.
Composition of milled rice exports

Regardless of the popularity of Hom Mali rice and other specialty rice, which is mostly grown in
the Northern and Northeastern region, most of rice exported is from the Central Thailand since
Thai white rice and parboiled rice exports are the majority (Figure 6).
100%
90%
80%
70% Phatumthani head rice

Glutinous broken rice
Export share, %
60% Glutinous head rice
Hom Mali broken rice
50%
Hom Mali head rice
40% Parboiled head rice
White broken rice
30%
White head rice
20%
10%
0%
2007 2008 2009
Year
Figure 6: Proportion of Thai rice produce exported by type of produces (Source: Modified data from
Ministry of Commerce, 2009).
2.4. Value chain structure and governance

The following discussion will be based on a schematic diagram of the value chain in Figure 4 and
focus on post-production, including harvesting. For a discussion of the production side of the
chain see Sub-study 1 and value chain actors in the whole chain see Sub-study 4. The value chain
is governed by various government policies issued by different ministries and coordinated by the
National Rice Policy Committee. For details see the corresponding sections of Sub-study 4.
2.5. Key Postproduction Stakeholders

A more detailed description of the stakeholders of the rice value chain of the Central Plain is
included in Sub-study 4.
Producers and producers organizations
Rice farmers: The rice farmers in the Central Plain represent about 25% of all rice farmers in
Thailand which is 578,340 households (OAE, 2010). On average they are planting 2.5 crops per
year; i.e. 1 crop per year in wet season and 1.5 in dry season. Average farm size is 4.4 and 4.8 ha
per household in wet and dry season, respectively.
Rice farmers are organized in and supported by several organizations including Rice
Community Centers (good quality seeds, technology transfer, training), Cooperatives as
autonomous associations, Market organizations for farmers to assist in marketing and the Thai
Rice Farmers Association to assist farmers participate in Government decision making (See
Sub-Study 4 for details).
Processing (postharvest) and processors organizations

In accordance with rice farming, the rice milling in Thailand is fragmented. Main features of the
milling sector are the high competitiveness, moderate profits generated, lacking differentiation,
and indicators of existing exit barriers (Agrifood Consulting International, 2005).
Structure of the rice milling industry

The structure of the milling sector is comparable to the farming sector in its general attributes.
The absolute number of mills is vast and there are only few exceptionally large rice mills. Rice
mills are classified according to their capacity, ranging from less than 5 MT per 24 hours (C3)
over 5 to 20 MT per 24 hours (C2) to more than 20 MT per 24 hours (C1). The capacity of the
latter may even exceed 1,000 MT per day (Agrifood Consulting International [ACI], 2005, as
cited in Ekasingh, et al., 2007, p. 40). In 2004, the total of 39,943 rice mills was composed of
38,208 small, 527 medium, and 1,163 large rice mills. Regional differences in distribution are
notable. Figure 7 shows that the dominant share of small mills is located in the northeast (where
rice smallholding is prevalent), and relatively many large mills in the Central Thailand (where
also larger, irrigated rice farms are found).
Figure 7 Number of rice mill by region and category, 2004.
Overcapacity of the industry

One should assume that growth of the rice milling sector is directly related to the development of
farm output, meaning that the increase of output over time in paddy production would lead to
similar output growth in milling capacity. However, available data suggests different conditions
in Thailand. As of 2008, the rice milling capacity exceeds actual milled rice production by a
factor of three, implying that capacity growth has exceeded output growth substantially over
recent years. Consequently, as rivalry for the sourcing of inputs increases, the rice milling sector
can be characterized as highly competitive with slow output growth.
Small rice mills are typically village rice mills milling for local consumption often in a contract
scheme, they are not registered. According to information on 31 December 2007, there are 1,729
registered small and medium mills with capacity of 177,399 tons per day. According to Thailand
capacity, it shall take only 160 -170 days to process indicating a significant over-capacity of the
Thai milling sector (MOAC, MOC, 2010).
Around 800 rice millers are organized in the Thai Rice Millers Association. For details see Sub-
study 4.
Other stakeholders in the postharvest chain are the various processors of products from rice like
rice flour mills like the Cho Heng Rice Vermicelli Factory Co.,Ltd.
Traders and trade organizations
Traders are engaged in both, paddy and milled rice trade. Millers buy around 30% of the total
paddy production directly from farmers and another 35% is bought by the millers through sub-
contractors whom they hire for that purpose. These are either individuals or firms that represent
a particular miller at the farm. Another 10% is handled by brokers, who charge a commission for
their services. Other marketing channels for milled rice are provided by farmers’ organizations,
either cooperatives or farmers groups, but they handle only around 5% of the total production of
which they sell 4% to millers and 1% to the Government agencies. These government agencies
are under the PWO, BAAC and MOF and one example is the Government Warehouse
Organization (GWO) under the Ministry of Commerce, which buys agricultural produce
particularly at intervention price. For details see Sub-study 4.
The majority of milled rice from the millers is also traded by brokers (65%), around 10% of the
millers sell directly to exporters or have an export license and 25% of the milled rice is sold
directly by millers to wholesalers. The brokers sell 35% of their volume to exporters and 30% to
wholesalers who serve the domestic market. From the wholesalers 55% of the milled rice reaches
the local consumers through many retailers. For details see Sub-study 4.
Most of the exporters are organized in the Thai Rice Exporters Association, which does
intenstive networking with government organizations but also other interest groups and organised
events to promote Thai Rice world wide. For details see Sub-study 4.
Policy
Various ministries are involved in formulating policy affecting the postharvest sector, among
them the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), the Ministry of Commerce
(MOC), the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), the Ministry of Foreign
affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment and the Ministry of Industry (MOI). The Rice Department of the MOAC is
tasked to develop policies related to rice. The Rice Policy Committee with the Prime Minister as
Chairman is in charge with considering and approving strategy and policy related to rice. For
details see Sub-study 4.
(For details see Sub-study 4: Actor analysis and identifications of levers.)
3. Postharvest issues, losses and efficiency gaps

Inefficiencies along the rice postproduction
chain can be categorized into two groups: First
there are inefficiencies in rice production,
processing, handling and storage that have an
effect on the amount and the quality of milled
rice represented by losses in dry matter and in
quality (Figure 8) and the second group of
inefficiencies that does not have an effect on
the rice but leads e.g. to high energy use in
processing. In addition there are the rice by-
products straw and husk, which are often
treated as waste but could be turned into
products either for energy or non energy
applications.
Figure 8: Types of losses in the individual
postharvest operations
Government to the rice post-harvest system focuses on both preventing food losses and
improving the efficiency of the technologies that are used to add value to rice and its byproducts.
The aim is to generate more employment and income and, consequently, to improve food
security. Rice farmers are willing to invest in post-harvest technologies that are affordable and
add quality and commercial value to rice.
3.1. Rice
Harvesting
Harvesting involves cutting the crop, collecting it from the field, threshing and cleaning. This can
be done manually, partly mechanized using stationary threshers and/or reapers of fully
mechanized by using combines. In manual systems farmers often practice field drying which
means that they leave the cut crop in the field for several days to reduce the moisture content and
to loosen the grain in the panicle for easier manual threshing. Field drying should be avoided
because it leads to high shattering loss and infestation with fungi which can cause mycotoxin
contamination. While manual systems are still being used in Northern and North-eastern Thailand
harvesting is fully mechanized in the Central Plain with 91.8% of the total harvest harvested by
combine and reaper 8.2% by reaper, manually collected and then threshed using axial flow
threshers (Source: Rice Department). Consequently a flourishing combine manufacturing
industry has developed with 5 manufacturers having an annual production capacity of 800-1,000
units (Kanuengsak-Chiaranaikul. 2009).
Table 2: Overview on harvesting systems, share in the Central Plain and typical labor requirement and losses
Thailand Other harvesting systems, averages from SE Asia
Harvesting practice Share in Labour, Quantitative Remarks
Central Plain, person losses, % *
area, % days/ha *
Cutting +
40-50 incl. handling:
Manual cutting and Delays in harvesting due to labor
- cleaning and 1-5%
manual threshing shortage can cause high losses.
bagging Threshing:
1-5% When combined with field drying
high chance of mycotoxins
Manual cutting and
- 25-30 2-8%
machine threshing
Harvesting with reaper
8.2 5 2-5%
and machine threshing
Good combine harvester reduces
Combine harvesting 91.8 0.2-3 1-2% loss and increases yield by 7%
(Kubota Thailand)
* Data from IRRI, represents typical data across SE Asia for this type of harvesting system.
Since harvesting is fully mechanized, farmers in Suphan Buri, use an average of only 5 person-
days/ha to carry out all harvest and postharvest operations versus more than 80 person-days/ha in
northern Vietnam. There is little potential to dramatically improve the system, but some potential
for fine tuning exits. Thai combines use steel tracks and are quite heavy which messes up the
fields more than combines with rubber tracks. The results are higher labor requirement and input
cost in land preparation. Fuel consumption for harvesting 1ha by combine is around 20-30 l
diesel/ha.
Drying
Options for drying are sun drying by spreading the paddy on a pavement, canvas or net. For
commercial sun drying tractors and front end loaders are used for mixing and collection. In the
Central Plain 90% of the paddy is mechanical dried using either simple, locally produced fixed
bed batch dryers or more complex drying machines like batch-in-bin dryers or continuous flow
dryers (Noomhorn, A, 2009). As the only country in Southeast Asia more than 40 millers in
Thailand have adopted a two stage drying system with rapid first stage drying (flash drying)
using fluidized bed dryers from initial moisture content to 18% and final drying to 14% or lower
in in-store dryers (Srzednicki, G and Driscoll, RH, 2008).
Table 3: Overview on drying systems

Drying practice Utilization in Typical quantitative Remarks
Central Plain losses, % *
Field drying 10% 1-5 (shattering) High quality loss, mycotoxins develop,
(unthreshed) (Noomhorn, A, usually followed by sun drying of threshed
2009) paddy
Sun drying (threshed 1-5 (spillage, animals) No energy cost, high qualitative losses,
paddy) weather risk
Fixed bed batch dryers 90% 1 Inexpensive technology
Re-circulating dryers (Noomhorn, A, 1 Good quality
2009)
Continuous flow dryer 1 For large operations
Two stage drying More than 40 ? Danger of gelatinization, high percentage of
mills brokens if not operated properly, high energy
requirement
* Data from IRRI, represents typical data across SE Asia for this type of harvesting system.
The energy requirement for heating the air in rice drying is potentially high. Most dryers in
Thailand use rice husk furnaces and thus reduce drying cost and also limit greenhouse gas
emissions. The fluidized bed dryers re-cycle the heat from the exhaust air to minimize fuel
consumption.
In comparison with neighbouring countries dryer usage in the Central Plain is extremely high.
Dryer capacity in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is 30% of the harvest with slowly increasing
trend, in the Philippines less than 5%, in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar it is negligible with
only few units installed in each country.
Storage
Most of the paddy and milled rice in Thailand is stored in bags (50kg-1t), but in the Central Plain
the majority seems to be stored in bulk (Noomhorn, A, 2009), larger mills using two stage drying
definitely store in bulk.
Table 4: Overview on storage systems in the Central Plain
Storage system Use in Central Typical quantitative Remarks

Plain losses, %
On farm storage No data found No data found Losses depend highly on storage technology
and management and can range from a few to
20% or more.
Storage in sacks No data found No data found
Storage in bulk Majority No data found More than 40 rice mills that use two stage
drying with 2 stage drying as second stage
Poor storage is one of the major causes of qualitative losses ranging from increase in moisture
content, discoloration, damage caused by pests, mycotoxin contamination to loss of germination
in seeds. We did not find any data about the situation in the field.
Milling
The rice industry is deeply established in Thailand and thus facilities are expected to be above
those serving other agricultural marketing systems, with rice mills performing the main
processing activity. Small millers mainly serve farmers and village level consumption while the
medium and large millers serve local, regional and even export markets.
A major problem if the milling industry is the overcapacity already mentioned in Section __. In
the light of the rice milling sector being competitive and fragmented, it could be expected that
economic returns in this segment are equal to zero. According to Dawe (2008, p. 460), utilizing
data of the year 2003, this is confirmed in that returns to management in milling were estimated
to be non-existent, even though there are indicators that this was only a temporary condition.
However, both Wiboonpongse and Chaovanapoonphol (2001, p. 207), drawing on data of the
mid-1990s, and ACI (2005, as cited in Ekasingh et al., 2007, p. 44) maintained that rice milling
generated higher (total) returns than other steps in the vertical chain of production. There are
several possible explanations for this. It may be that the underlying data is outdated and did not
reflect the increasing level of competition at the respective point in time. However,
Wiboonpongse and Chaovanapoonphol (2001, p. 207) state that “inefficient millers, usually
medium size, gradually closed down their business,” which provides some indication for a high
level of competition. A different explanation is that disintegrated sub-markets create
quasimonopsonies as described by Baldwin (1974, p. 195), allowing millers to depress the
purchasing price of paddy. Given the high number of mills and the improved transportation and
communication infrastructure (cf. Nakada, 1996, p. 618), such industry structures are unlikely.
Finally, the reported returns may also be due to the overcapacity as rice millers may require a risk
premium in order to not withdraw from this competitive sector. The economic returns, including
the risk premium, may then be indeed near zero. Nevertheless, more evidence is needed to
establish conclusions about the actual profitability of rice milling products.
Data about rice mill performance/losses was not found. Table 5 compares the Thai rice mills with
typical average data from mills from the region with similar capacity. In the laboratory the
milling recovery (white rice) can be 70-72% depending on the milling degree. It depends mainly
on the type of rice mill equipment used, operators skills and to a lesser extend on the quality of
the paddy. The head rice recovery, on the other hand, is also heavily influenced paddy quality,
variety and the rice mill.
Table 5: Overview on number of types of rice mills in the Central Plain and average milling recovery and
head rice recovery data from SW Asian countries.
Thailand Typical milling recoveries, averages from SE Asia

Type of rice Capacity, No. in Rice mill category Typical average Typical head
mill t/24 hours Central Plain equivalent according to milling rice recovery,
IRRI classification* recovery, % %
C1 >20 503 Large commercial mill 65-68 50-55
C2 5-20 213 Small commercial mill 55-65
C3 <5 1544 Village rice mill 50-55 <30
Recovery in Thailand, no data on type of mill. (Noomhorn, 2009) 60 48
* Data from IRRI, represents typical data across SE Asia for this type of milling system.
It can be assumed that most of the large commercial mills and some of the small commercial
mills that produce for export have optimized their mills and minimize losses in quality. However,
in 1997 there were 43,275 mills scattered all over the country including Bangkok. The number
declined over time from 46,125 in 1989 (OAE, 1994, 1999), probably as a response to the
problems with over capacity and low margins mentioned above. Millers indicated that existing
technology employed by most mills is inefficient especially when energy costs rise. Modern
technology is only used by large millers and exporters to reduce broken grain, to increase milled
rice quality and to produce better packaging. Case studies at selected representative mills should
be conducted to confirm this assumption
Another problem of at least part of the milling sector was identified during the multi stakeholder
workshop as the low quality of milled rice as a result of poor quality paddy caused by too high
cropping intensity in the Central Plain, harvesting during adverse weather, the mixing of rice and
poor soils. Rice millers buy around 30% of the rice at high moisture content (Noomhorn, A,
2009). Thirty percent of millers use laboratory huskers to evaluate paddy quality.
As a rule of thumb milling of paddy to white rice requires 20kWh per ton paddy. Energy
consumption data for rice mills in Thailand was not found.
Parboiling
Several export oriented rice mills produce parboiled rice, mostly Thai Jasmine or Thai Long grain
brands for export. Due to an abundant water supply and consistent source of paddy in Thailand,
more than 100 parboiled rice mills are spread throughout the central region, the production of
premium quality, odorless. Parboiled rice in Thailand is constant year round. For markets,
parboiled rice is the only rice produced for export-oriented purposes. Now, Thailand is largest
supplier among the major markets such as South Africa, Nigeria and various countries in Asia,
Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Parboiling of 1t of paddy requires around 60kWh, thus parboiled paddy requires around 4 times
the energy of non-parboiled rice in the rice milling process. Rice husk is usually used for
generating the heat in parboiling plants.
Transport, Handling and Marketing
There are many types of rice transportation from rice mills to warehouses of domestic traders and
exporters. For domestic distribution, rice is transported from the mills to various regions by
trucks and for export it is transported from rice mills to warehouses by trucks, trains and ships
along the Chao Phraya River.
There are various intermediaries involved in the rice marketing system, which have been
expanded through the uncoordinated initiatives of private individuals. Since rice producing areas
are concentrated and situated at some distance from the main urban consumption centers, the rice
marketing system takes a long route to reach consumers. At the local level, intermediaries include
local buyers or brokers, local commission agents (subcontractors), cooperatives, farmers groups,
local market centers, millers, wholesalers and retailers. At the regional level, large local market
centers and large millers are major intermediaries. The final level, i.e. country level includes
commission agents (brokers), wholesalers and exporters
Grading and standardization have been well established. However, there is a need to categorize
rice by groups of rice varieties. At present, paddy is basically graded in 2 aspects i.e. by variety
and by percentage of broken grain. By variety, in many production areas, paddy is carefully
separated by a number of varieties. By percentage of broken grain, it is highly associated with
moisture level; in some cases late harvesting also
The role of farmers' organizations in rice marketing is not outstanding (5% of the total paddy
traded). Instead, the private sector has been important in carrying out most marketing activities.
Thus the marketing system of paddy-rice in Thailand takes a long route before reaching final
purchasers except for the local consumption. At the local level, the market is highly competitive
since farmers could choose where and how to sell their produce. Nonetheless it is difficult to
prove if the price paid to farmer reflects real value. It is possible that the price is over-discounted
for any given moisture level or other grading criterion. This problem is well recognized and
partly alleviated by cooperatives, BAAC and others in several of the government's supporting
programs. There are reports that returns to millers out-weighed that of other intermediaries.
However, inefficient millers, usually medium size, gradually closed down their business. Services
in rice marketing systems are inadequate and needs improvement especially drying and
warehousing. Packaging is becoming more important since Thailand plans to concentrate on high
quality rice for export and changing shopping habits of domestic consumers from unpacked to
packed rice.
Losses during transport are generally small in the range of 1-2% (Noomhorn, A, 2009).
Stored product protection
While information about pesticide overuse in rice production is available (Sub-study 1) not much
data was found for the postharvest sector, especially for storage. Several service providers offer
fumigation services for storage facilities, warehouses and rice mills using Methyl Bromide
(CH3Br) gas, Aluminum Phosphide (PH3) tablets, Cypermethrin or Pyrethroid treatment and
Magnesium Phosphide Tablets. While most methyl bromide used in Thailand was used on rice in
1994 it is being currently phased out with a deadline of 2013.
More data needs to be gathered on pesticide related problems in postharvest.
Incentives to product better quality and increase resource efficiencies
An export oriented production automatically provides and incentive to produce good quality
driven by the need to fulfil the quality standards of the buyers, especially if high priced speciality
rice is exported as it is the case in Thailand. However, to reduce resource inefficiencies in
postharvest additional market driven incentives are needed.
• Organic rice production accounts for 80% of total area of organic food production in
Thailand but only of 1.1% of the total rice production is. Now it is become gaining more
interest from demand side both for domestic and export. Export markets are EU,
Switzerland, USA and Asia.
• Thai Good Agricultural Practice (Thai GAP) is introduced to Thailand to improve rice
yield and seed quality in production. Research on economic efficiency of GAP certified
rice is been ongoing. The certification cost is currently covered by the Government but
ultimately will have to be built into the rice price at all steps of the value chain. There is
therefore limited information on the feasibility of GAP. The success will depend on the
availability of market incentives that pay for the additional cost.
• Branding to ensure a premium for a certain quality of milled rice, e.g. high price fragrant
rice. The most obvious example is Thai Hom Mali rice which was established to counter
attempts of other countries to also market Jasmine rice competing with the former Thai
Jasmine brand.
• Several Fair trade schemes exist for fragrant rice types mainly from Northeastern
Thailand targeting European and US markets. Around 7,500 farming families participated
in 2005. Fair trade provides on average 60% higher prices for producers. Some of them
require the farmers to adhere to strict standards regarding the use and handling of
pesticides, the protection of natural waters, virgin forest and other ecosystems of high
ecological value, and the management of erosion and waste (Trans Fair) or include
certified organic production. Usually cooperatives participate in the scheme but it only
has a marginal share of the total rice production.
• Marketing or contract farming systems in which farmers get a better price for better
quality paddy and better access to extension and inputs which are provided under the
contract scheme.
3.2. Products from rice grains

Rice is already used for the preparation of cakes, noodles, rice papers, rice wrappers, rice crackers,
puddings, muffins and other products.
Asia BioBusiness Pte Ltd (2006) lists 15 other innovative uses of the rice grains, 19 ways to
extend the use of rice and its component parts and waste and 8 uses of rice ingredients for
healthcare and 5 for cosmetics in an assessment of potential world markets for innovative rice
business in Thailand.
3.3. Rice by-products

Rice by-products are the bran and husk that are by products in the milling process and the straw
which is left in the field after harvesting/threshing. The rice fractions in an ideal milling process
consist of 20% husk, 8-9% bran, 1-2% germ and 70% white rice components (whole grain and
various fractions of brokens.
Rice bran
Around 2-2.4 million t of rice bran is produced in Thailand or 0.6-0.8 million t from rice grown in the
Central Plain (Thai Rice Department, 2008). Rice bran is very valuable since it is rich in micro
nutrients, it is conventionally used for the production of rice bran oil and livestock feeds. Rice bran
contains 8-10% rice bran oil and around 80% defatted bran with 17% protein content, which is a
valuable animal feed. It is also exported to Japan for organic fertilizer production.
A constraint in rice bran oil production is that it has to be brought to the processing factory within
24 hours after milling. However, with the process of soaking in 65 ํc for 6 hours can be kept for 3
days before subjected to extraction process.
The rice bran is supplied from the rice mills to the factories via brokers, who also deal with the
defatted bran. The price of defatted bran is determined by acid valued, for example in cold
season the acid vale is about 15 – acid value, while, in rainy season is about 2.5 - acid value. The
lower of the acid value is the better the price of rice bran. Furthermore, quality of oil bran is also
dependent on rice variety, storage method, and transportation.
There are many rice oil bran extract companies with the main 8 factories having capacities of 100
tons of bran per day (2), 100-200 tons of bran per day (4) and 800t/day tons of bran per day (2).
Oil rice bran factories produce bran oil from 600,000 tons bran per year. There would still be
potential to expand rice bran oil production since 1.8 million tons of rice bran is left annually for
other use.
Eatable bran oil produced in Thailand is approximately 40,000 tons/year, while the annual
demand of world is about 10 million tons and the price in the world market is also good (normal
grade 50 baht/liter, special grade 80 – 100 baht/liter and can be up to 122 bath/liter). When used
for complementary diet high quality rice bran oil can cost from 1,500 up to 18,000 baht/liter. For
defatted bran the price some time very high up to 5,000 baht per ton.
Rice husk and straw
Thailand produces about 4 million tons of rice husk annually. Husks can be recycled by the mill,
or sold to industrial buyers. Traditional uses of rice husk include fuel for rice drying and
parboiling and a few rice mills burn husk to generate mechanical or electrical power fro their own
use but demand for rice husk is low and most millers burn or dump it (Boonlert, 2005). More
recently several projects have installed and are planning combined heat and power generation
plants (CHP) using rice husk as fuel and selling electricity into the grid. In addition they can
reduce fossil fuel use (Kunimitsu, 2006) and can be used to obtain carbon credits (Tokyo
Mitsubishi Securities Co., L. 2002). One example is a the A.T. Bio power plant already in
operation in Phi Chit province with 20MW electrical output equal to power consumption of
10,000 homes. These type of plants rely on long term fuel supply agreements with rice millers in
the surroundings of the plan. Rice husk ash is a marketable product with two current main uses as
insulator in the steel industry and pozzolan in the cement industry (Bronzeoak Ltd, 2003).
Around 21.68 million t of rice straw is produced in Thailand every year. Some is incorporated in
the field and it is commonly used for composting, roofing materials, livestock feeds and a medium
for growing straw mushroom. About 48% of it is subjected to open field burning (Gadde et al.,
2009).
4. Effect of production inefficiencies on postproduction

Inefficiencies in production can have an effect on the postproduction sector in various ways. A
quantification of the influence is difficult since there are too many data gaps to do a detailed
analysis.
• Milled rice quality: The literature and the participants of the multi stakeholder workshop
indicated that poor paddy quality is a major problem for millers, which hinders them from
producing better quality milled rice. Besides harvesting at the wrong time, delays in
drying and problems in storage the following production problems contribute to the poor
quality.
o Poor water management
o Poor nutrient management, leading to problems in grain filling that cause increased
chalkiness and consequently higher breakage during milling.
o Poorly levelled fields that lead to uneven maturing, many unfilled grains and unripe.
o Poor seed quality and/or plant establishment.
o Pest infestation and infestation (insects, fungi) potentially leading to mycotoxin
contamination and low milling yields.
Mechanization of the whole value chain leads to decreased losses, higher yields and better
quality. Usage of a combine harvester can increase yield by 7% but when combined with
a mechanical transplanter yield increase can be 28% (Kositpaisal, P. 2008)
• Pesticide residues in milled rice. Sub-study 1 reports a 3 times increase of pesticide use
from 1994 to 2005 to levels much higher amounts than in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Milled rice contaminated with pesticide residues would be a serious thread to the export
industry, but also to rice marketed locally.
• Labour shortage in production, if not compensated by appropriate mechanization, can
have significant effects on the quality of paddy, e.g. when harvesting is delayed.
• Certified organic rice and certified Thai GAP rice only have very limited production.
Attempts to increase the share of certified rice in order to increase profit margins usually
face problems on both sides, as is currently experienced in Lao PDR and Cambodia where
projects try to establish organic rice value chains for export. The market access needs to
be created to justify investment in training and the certification process but it is difficult to
engage with importers of certified rice if they need lots of patience until a certified chain
has been established and reliable and significant amounts are available for trade.
Effect of postproduction inefficiencies on production resource efficiencies
Evenly resource inefficiencies of the postharvest sector do have an effect on resource efficiency
of production. Every percent loss in postharvest means that one percent of each input in
production is wasted.
5. Comparison with other rice producing regions

Compared to its neighboring countries rice the rice postproduction sector is very well developed,
almost fully mechanized and although recent data is not available it can be assumed that
postharvest losses in the industry are relatively low. The scope of this study could not provide for
an analysis of the economic situation, rice prices, trading margins etc. Table 6 therefore tries a
qualitative assessment of the comparative advantage of the Central Plain.
Table 6: Comparison of the Thai postharvest sector with other rice producing countries
PH Thailand Central Vietnam, Mekong Cambodia Myanmar Philippines
Operation Plain Delta
Harvesting Fully mechanized, Around 30% fully Few combine Fully manual, Harvesting
losses probably mechanized, harvesters but threshing partly mostly manual,
>5% threshing mostly increasing mechanized, threshing
mechanized, losses usage, threshing losses 5-15% mostly
5-10% partly mechanized,
mechanized, losses 5-10%
losses 5-15%
Drying 90% mechanized, 30% mechanized, Sun drying Sun drying Less than 10%
large, modern simple flat bed mechanical
technology dryers drying
Milling Highly Outdated milling 3 large rice Mostly medium Less
competitive, sector, separation mills, few small size mills competitive,
overcapacity, low of husking and commercial high margins
margins polishing, trend mills, mostly
towards bigger village mills,
mills outdated
equipment
Quality Trading of high Low head milling Poor paddy Poor paddy Poor paddy
problems moisture paddy, and head rice quality, very quality, very quality, very
low quality of recovery, low head rice low head rice low head rice
paddy deterioration in two recovery and recovery and recovery and
stage milling, low milling yields, milling yields, milling yields,
cooking quality high losses high losses high losses
(high yielding
varieities)
Rice Price World market World market World market Regulated, Regulated, high
oriented oriented oriented artificially low
Export Competitive sector Few state owned Only 3 formal Government No export,
with many private food companies, exporters with regulated, major importer
exporters, mainly low quality rice, focus on quality export
high quality rice, high yielding markets in permission
branded in 5 varieties Europe and US, often given to
categories informal export individuals
to Thailand and close to
Vietnam government
The decline in exports of Thai rice indicates that the Thai rice industry is facing increasing
competition at all stages of the production and value chain. The above table indicates that the Thai
postharvest sector currently still has the competitive edge but countries like Vietnam and Cambodia
are moving quickly. Improved production practices in other countries mean that international markets
will have access to improved quality and higher quantities, potentially leading to lower prices. Bulk
export of rice does not maximize value for Thailand. Thailand must therefore move quickly to
maintain its comparative advantage and adopt and utilize innovative production systems and
technologies to improve yields, quality and reduce cost. It should also seek to maximize value from
the commodity by accessing new markets for premium rice, creating new products and utilizing
previously unused waste components. Innovation, powered by a targeted research and development
effort in combination with effective global marketing strategies, is the only way for Thailand to
ensure value is created, from its strategically vital rice sector.
6. Potential other use of rice and by products

The Thai rice industry and the government agencies are well aware of the threads to Thai rice
exports and therefore several activities have focussed on identifying means to increase
competitiveness by developing new products from rice and it’s by products. A significant
percentages of husk and straw that are currently being dumped or field burned could add value to
rice production by using raw materials that are already available compared to raw materials that
would need to be mined using techniques potentially damaging the environment. This section
outlines the potential additional uses of rice and rice by products which don’t have wide spread
application yet. This section gives an overview on these other potential uses. In each individual
case a life cycle analysis would have to proof the advantage over existing technologies
6.1. Rice
Products from rice grains already consisting in markets aboard are canned rice (dry and wet), pre-
cooked rice, pre washed rice (rinse free rice), instant rice, nutrient enriched rice, embryoed rice,
pearl rice (brown rice mixed with barley), O-rice (healthy rice), rice noodles, and others. (Asia
Biobusiness Pte Ltd., 2006).
6.2. Bran
As discussed above only a small

amount of rice bran is used for rice
bran oil extraction on an industrial
scale. The Rice Department proposes
to establish small scale bran oil
extraction factories at community
level as part of a long term
development. The Government sector
should set up the plan and support
the rice bran oil value chain as
outlined in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Flow diagram for proposed rice bran oil value chain
(Source: Rice Department).
6.3. Husk
Potential rice husk usage can fall under 5 categories (Wada, S. et al., 2003):
• Category 1: Application of rice husk as the resource of energy (see Section 3.3) and charcoal as fuel.
Technologies for utilization of husk as charcoal exist but have not been commercialized due to availability
of cheap charcoal produced from mangrove.
• Category 2: Application of rice husk as the resource of SiO2, activated carbon and carbonized Rice
Husk. Technologies for SiO2 production from rice husk are at the laboratory research stage. There are very
limited uses for activated carbon from rice husk. Carbonized rice husk (CRH) and offers new ways to make
sustainable use of rice residues can improve poor soils but may have little effect on fertile soils, and that
such amendments appear to be relatively stable in various soils and rice environments. It therefore provides
an option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to sequester carbon in rice-based systems (Haefele et al.,
2008).
• Category 3: Application of rice husk SiO2 as the resource of one of the component of oxide ceramics. This
is still at the research stage.
• Category 4: Application of rice husk SiO2 as the resource of Si as starting material for silicone, poly
crystalline silicone and a component of Aluminum alloy. Considering production scale and cost this is
currently a theoretical option only.
• Category 5: Application of rice husk as the resource for SiC and Si3N4 particles. Cost and production scale
are major constraints.
Catergory 1 is already realized to some extend. Categories 2 and 3 might have potential and
categories 4 and 5 will probably not be competitive due to strong advantages of existing
industrialized alternatives.
Other potential uses for rice husk ask are as insulator in production of refractory bricks, for
lightweight insulating boards, in purified form as ingredient for silicon chips manufacture, water
purification, and as oil absorbent (Bronseoak Ltd, 2003).
6.4. Straw
Rice straw that is currently burned in the field could be used as energy source. The GHG
emissions contribution through open-field burning of rice straw in Thailand 0.18% and the
mitigated GHG emissions when generated electricity is used would be 1.81%, when compared to
the total country GHG emissions (Gadde et al., 2009). Technologies from using rice husk as fuel
could be adapted and life cycle analysis needs to demonstrate the feasibility first considering the
straw collection, pre-treatments needs, and seasonality of straw harvest.
6.5. Innovative new products

Other innovative uses as identified by Asia Biobusiness Pte Ltd (2006) are summarized in Table
7.
Table 7: Summary of opportunities for commercialization of innovative rice products (Source: Asia
Biobusiness Pte Ltd, 2006)
From Product Value Addition Market Potential for

Potential* # Potential+ # returns #
Rice Gamma rice (high level of γ-aminobutyric acid) M M M
grain
Embryo rice M M M
Organic five-grain rice blend M L/M M
O-Rice M L/M M
Modified starch M/H M/H H
Baby foods H M/H H
Grain and Rice ingredients for Cosmetics H H H
bran
Rice ingredients for cosmeceuticals H H H
Bran Stabilized rice bran L/M M/H L/M
Rice bran M M L/M
Oryzanol (anti oxidant) H M/H H
Probiotics H M/H H
Phytosterols (reducing cholesterol) H M/H H
Rice bran oil M L/M M/H
Husk Tyres L/M L/M L/M
Bio-organic fertilizer L L/M L/M
Carbonized rice husks (CRH) L L to M L/M
Husk and Biodegradable fast food meal box L M M
straw
Rice bran oil M L/M M/H
Paper production L L/M L
*Relative to base ingredient
+ Integration of factors e.g. competing products / size of products / time scale to gain value
# L = low; M = medium; H = high
7. Response options at PH value chain level and policy for improved resource
efficiencies
Given the limited time and budget for the study and the political problems in Thailand which
further reduced the time available for in-country activities the data base is very limited and many
information gaps exist. It is therefore difficult to come up with clearcut recommendations
regarding resource efficiency improvements in the postharvest sector. The team recommends as a
direct follow-up of the study to fill the data gaps and establish baseline data for further, more
detailed recommendations. This section also outlines potential new technologies that could
address some problems if their significance was confirmed by rapid appraisals and market driven
incentives that are being discussed and need to be further assessed with respect to their
feasibility.
7.1. Suggestions for further research

Establish better baseline
Better and more recent information is needed in the following areas and could be collected
through a series of rapid assessments at representative postharvest stakeholders:
• Yield losses as affected by the various postharvest operations.
• Trading of high moisture content paddy, volumes, quality deterioration, other problems.
• Level of qualitative losses in the individual marketing channels. Depending on where the project will put
it’s focus this could be limited to e.g. the export value chain players.
• Assessment of typical rice mills of the different categories, rice mill performance determination.
• Assessment of energy use in the postharvest chain and potential for substitution.
• Assessment of pesticide use in stored product protection.
7.2. Improving postharvest resource efficiency

Without having more detailed data on the postharvest sector and its resource inefficiencies it is
difficult to come up with clear recommendations. This section therefore highlights some
technologies, best management practices, and market driven incentives that might have potential
to address some of the problems.
Technology
Thailand has a competitive agricultural machinery industry which also exports harvesters, dryers,
milling equipment and laboratory instruments. Research conduced in partnerships between the
private sector and the industry is of high standard. It is therefore doubted that machinery and
postharvest equipment from abroad would solve any of the inefficiency problems. Some new
emerging technologies, which have not been piloted in Thailand yet with most processors like the
hermetic storage systems could potentially address some problems e.g. seed quality or safe
storage at farm level. These would need a project for participatory technology evaluation after
identifying the target users.
Management practices
Currently the Thai Government pays a lot of attention to Good Agricultural Practice, which has
been introduced to Thailand to improve rice yield and seed quality. So far Thai GAP was
developed for production and is being implemented for production in irrigated and rice crop
management (see Sub Study 1). So far only few farmers were certified and one problem is to
created t price incentive for GAP certified rice. There are discussions to develop and introduce a
postharvest GAP or Good Management Practice (GMP) for the postharvest sector. Table 8 shows
the guidelines for Harvesting and Postharvest GMP.
Table 8: Provision concerning for Good Agricultural Practice to ensure good milling quality for rice are
defined as in table below (Source: Rice Department)
Postharvest operation REQUIREMENTS
1 Harvesting time. Rice shall be harvested at appropriate time resulting in a good milling quality that
obtain the whole kernel and head rice according to Thai Agricultural Standard for each
rice type.
The appropriate harvesting time shall be observed by :
• 25 to 35 days after flowering date; or
• Rice panicle is at mature stage. At least three quarters of the kernels in the rice
panicle have a full yellow color.
2 Harvesting and • Harvesting equipments, containers and harvest practices shall not cause any
threshing effect on quality and introduce any admixing grain to the produce.
• If threshing and/or harvesting is applied, equipments shall be properly cleaned
and threshing process shall be handled carefully in such a way that it does not
introduce any admixing grain to the produce. If the machine has been
previously used to harvest or thresh other rice variety, it shall be cleaned to get
rid of all remaining grains.
3. Moisture content of • If produce is not sold as wet paddy, it must be dried to reduce moisture within
paddy and drying 24 hours after harvested.
practice • Drying practice shall not introduce any breakage to grain in such a way that
the result of milling quality test of paddy is lower than the criteria required in
Thai Agricultural Standard for each type of rice.
• The moisture of paddy shall not exceed 15% for traded rice and 14% for
stored rice.
4. Transportation, storage • Equipments, containers and carriages for transportation and storage shall be
and produce collection. cleaned and able to prevent quality deterioration of produce and prevent from
contamination of substances that may be harmful to consumers, and also from
inducing of admixing grain.
• Grain collecting and storage room shall be managed in such a way that the
condition is hygienically clean and well ventilated. They are able to prevent
contaminations and inducing of admixing grain.
• Practices in grain storage and collecting rooms shall not cause any damage
and inducing of admixing grain.
• If more than one variety of rice is handled or stored, management in storage
shall be in such a way that admixture of grain between different varieties is
prevented.
Research on economic efficiency of Organic and GAP certified rice has been ongoing. There is
therefore limited information on the feasibility of GAP/GMP. The success will depend on market
incentives that pay for the additional cost for certification throughout the chain from the farmer to
export.
Noomhorm, A. (2009) suggests to develop Rice Supply Chain Management (SCM) including
traceability using technologies like bar-code or RFID, which could be a tool for the implementation
of GAP.
Additional market driven incentives
Implementing GAP, organic rice production and any other schemes add cost to production and
processing because of the need for assuring traceability, certification and governance of the
systems. Labour requirement of organic agriculture is also significantly higher than in
conventional rice production. These additional costs have to be at least compensated if farmers
and processors are to engage in these schemes.
• Similar to Thai GAP there are plans at the Rice Department to Good Management
Practice (GMP) for postharvest too. As with GAP, open questions remain with regard
whether customers would pay a premium for GAP/GAM rice. Resource efficiency criteria
could be built into the postharvest GAM criteria, in a way that that participating
processing facilities should be optimized in terms of energy use (e.g. drying with rice
husk instead of kerosene as fuel).
• Ecologically branding rice that is produced with minimum impact on the environment and
labelling according to market requirements are other options. In Europe for example there
is a trend towards introducing a carbon footprint label on many products including food.
At some point this might become mandatory and therefore might become essential for all
rice exports to Europe.
• Branding GMO free rice. Organic rice and fair trade rice brands don’t guarantee for the
GMO freeness of their products since potential “contamination” of these rice brands with
GMO varieties is not monitored in the schemes. For European markets were customers
are very critical with respect to GMOs a GMO free brand could be another option.
For the time being it is not clear whether the markets will accept higher priced GAP/GMP or
ecologically branded rice. Public private partnerships with national and international partners are
needed to evaluate, pilot and establish such schemes.
8. Conclusions and Recommendations

The decline in exports indicates that the Thai rice industry is facing increasing competition at all
stages of the production and value chain. Improved production practices in other countries mean that
markets will have access to improved quality and higher quantities, potentially leading to lower
prices. Thailand must therefore move quickly to maintain its comparative advantage and adopt and
utilize innovative production systems and technologies to improve yields, quality and reduce cost. It
should also seek to maximize value from the commodity by creating new products and utilizing
previously unused waste components. Bulk export of rice does not maximize value for Thailand.
Innovation, powered by a targeted research and development effort in combination with effective
global marketing strategies, is the only way for Thailand to ensure value is created, from its
strategically vital rice sector.
The data base on the postharvest sector in Thailand is very limited and often outdated. Recent studies
on postharvest losses, performance and input use of the industry is not available. This is a result of
public sector disinvestment in postharvest R&D over the last two decades and is also true for other
countries in the region. An exception is the use of rice husk for energy generation where Thailand is
leading with several plants already installed and studies conducted on economic feasibility, carbon
trading participation, environmental profile and macro economic impact.
However, some conclusions can be drawn from the existing data:
• The high level of mechanization of postharvest operations in the Central Plain (harvesting
fully mechanized, 90% of paddy production mechanically dried) indicates that postharvest
losses might not be a major issue and are probably much lower than in neighboring countries.
• Problems in the postharvest sector seem to be more market related than caused by lack of
technology. Effective interventions therefore should start with the markets.
• The data base for energy efficiency of the postproduction sector is incomplete and should be
added on. Better usage of by products can increase resource use efficiency because the by
products can substitute other raw materials, e.g. in energy generation.
Establish better baseline data on the postharvest industry
There are conflicting statements regarding industry performance, postharvest losses and energy
use. Some sources say that the Thai rice value chain is highly efficient; others mention low
quality and losses. This study was planned as desk study and the political situation and the
resulting delays did not allow for field visits for filling data gaps or verifying old data. It is
therefore recommended to conduct rapid assessments of representative postharvest stakeholders
as a follow-up to establish better baseline data on resource use (especially energy), losses,
performance and stakeholder specific issues:
Measures to improve paddy quality
A major issue mentioned in the literature and also in the stakeholder workshop is poor quality of
paddy resulting in low milling quality.
• Apply Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) on pre-harvest management for maximizing yields
and paddy quality including seed source and processing, seed rates, soil preparation, fertilizer
utilization, water management, pest control, and disposal of waste and residues (Noomhorn,
A, 2009). See Sub-study 1 for details.
• Assess the significance and scope of high moisture paddy trading and delays in the harvesting
to drying chain.
Marketing management
Based on the current data base it appears that interventions focussing on the markets and market
driven incentives provide the best levers for improving resource efficiency. This includes:
• Develop and apply Good Management Practice (GMP) in postharvest management including
the following: Management for good paddy quality, optimizing methods for harvesting and
threshing, drying, packaging, management, transportation, storage and collection.
• Engage the domestic and international private sector in partnerships to assess and establish
potential market channels for Thai rice branded according to market potential including: Thai
GAP/GAM rice, Eco labeled rice, GMO free rice and others.
• Services in rice marketing systems are inadequate and needs improvement especially
drying and warehousing. Packaging is becoming more important since Thailand plans to
concentrate on high quality rice for export and changing shopping habits of domestic
consumers from unpacked to packed rice.
Proposed measures to improve resource efficiency in the postharvest sector are summarized in
Table 9.
Table 9: Summary of proposed measures to increase resource efficiency in postharvest
Issue Proposed measures Impact on resource efficiency Levers
Lack of Rapid assessments • Better identification of issues and Rice

baseline data at representative PH tailoring of interventions Department,
stakeholders IRRC, AIT
linkages
Poor paddy Price incentives for • Reduction of postharvest losses Market driven
quality, producers for better • Reduction of mycotoxin price
trading of quality, improve contamination incentives,
milled rice on-farm processing, millers,
hermetic storage traders
Ensure Develop and • Ensured quality, reduce postharvest Public private

market introduce losses partnership,
position GAP/GAM for • Resource savings in production
(Export and postharvest • Resource savings in postproduction
domestic)
New Thai rice • Resource savings in production and Public private
brands, (GAP, eco postproduction through certification partnerships
labelled, GMO free, and with
etc.) importers
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Establishing sustainable, resource efficient
agri‐food supply chains

Resource efficiency and ecosystem services in rice production
in Thailand’s central plain: Baseline Research

UNEP, IIED and AIDEnvironment Project (IRRI coordination)

Research done by the Asian Institute of Technology and CIRAD (UMR G‐Eau)
Authors: S.R. Perret, M.S. Babel, S.D. Rahatwal, R. Yarnsiri
0
Executive summary
This study delivers a brief inventory of ecosystem services offered in Central Plain of Thailand, and
related considerations on economic value. It partakes to a broader baseline study on resource
efficiency and ecosystem services in rice production in Thailand’s central plain. The overall purpose
of the baseline study is to contribute to a UNEP research and development project targeting the

establishment of sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply chains.
The study report first clarifies the terms and concepts on aquatic resource uses, values, externalities,
benefits, services, and the like. It defines (1) resource direct-use value, generating private goods and
services, which benefits private, local economic agents, and (2) resource indirect, non-use value,
generating public goods and services, which benefits part or whole of society. Such distinction proves
very useful in order to first sort out the different functions and externalities attached to rice
ecosystems, and to develop a conceptual framework for further investigations (p29-30), second to
identify proper methodologies to assess economic values of ES in Central Plain of Thailand.
Lowland paddy rice ecosystems in central plain of Thailand offer several ecosystem goods and
services and include functions and values related to regulation, support, culture (mostly as public
goods, i.e. true ES), and contribution to the economy (mostly through private benefits).
However, being mostly irrigated, and designed and operated for intensive production towards export
and agro-industry sectors, some functions have limited positive effects (support), and some negative
externalities are significant (GHG emissions and high contribution to climate change as the main
negative externality of paddy rice). Among ecosystem services, regulatory functions seems to be the
most important, as paddy rice ecosystems contribute significantly to water resource management and
conservation, erosion control, preservation of biodiversity and aquatic habitats, and, more importantly
in central plains, flood mitigation and prevention. Paddy rice systems also contribute to the economy
(local and national), to development, and bear very significant cultural value all over South East Asia.
In terms of support functions, paddy fields contribute to nutrient cycling, water purification
(denitrification), air purification, and photosynthesis.
The case study in Ayutthaya Province in central plain reveals that the concept of ecosystem services is
widely unknown among all stakeholders in the rice production sector. Further, few research have been
carried out, and limited information is actually available on ecosystem services in the area.
Discussions with local experts show that some ecosystem functions and services are fulfilled by
paddy rice fields, with regards to culture, provision of goods, and contribution to the economy.
However, intensification of cropping systems and the intensive use of pesticides hinders most
possibilities on support and regulation. Local stakeholders, officials, most public and private sector
agents, and the general public seem to largely ignore both the concept of ecosystem services, and the
implications thereof. More specifically, farmers as primary producers and custodians of such goods
are not aware of the role they play and that benefits the whole society. There are two notable
exceptions to this general lack of awareness: the role played by paddy fields in flood mitigation and in
wildlife conservation. Also, the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives has develop Good Agricultural Practices recommendations in order to sustain and
enhance ecosystem services, especially those related to environmental conservation, soil quality,
sustainable use of pesticides and fertilizers. Concrete application and impact of GAP
recommendations remain few at this point in time. The economic values of the different rice
ecosystems services and goods have not been assessed in Thailand, while methodologies do exist. No
compensation, incentive or payment mechanism related to ecosystem services has been developed so
far in Thailand.
In view of such results, two sets of recommendations may be made, one for further research, the other
towards role-players for implementation. More research should be carried out on certain biophysical
and ecological processes that are poorly documented at this stage, i.e. hydrology, water and soil
chemistry, ecology. The outcomes of such background research would be to better define the quantity
and quality of ecosystems services provided, to back up further investigations on their economic
1
value. Research should also be carried out in economics, first assessing the value of all identified
ecosystems goods and services, second investigating and testing economic instruments towards
sustainability of such provision. Research agencies should team up with public and private interested
stakeholders in order to redress the observed lack of knowledge and awareness on ecosystem services.
Communication and information has to take place, towards the general public, and more specific
stakeholders. It is suggested that some pilot projects are set up, based upon existing farmer groups
and/or delineated irrigation systems in order to experiment mechanisms potentially leading to
sustainable provision of ecosystem services: farmer certification mechanisms, area certification
mechanisms, labeling of products. Such pilot projects could ultimately be used to experiment PES
mechanisms.
Table of content

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 1
TABLE OF CONTENT ...................................................................................................................................... 2
1 DEMARCATION OF CENTRAL PLAIN OF THAILAND AND RICE CULTIVATION ................................................ 4
1.1 DEMARCATION OF CENTRAL PLAIN OF THAILAND ..................................................................................................... 4
1.2 LAND USE MAP OF THAILAND .............................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 RICE CULTIVATION IN THAILAND AND IN CENTRAL PLAIN ............................................................................................ 6
1.4 METEOROLOGICAL DATA .................................................................................................................................... 9
1.5 RICE PRODUCTION IN THAILAND: MAIN FEATURES .................................................................................................. 10
1.6 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
2 RICE ECOSYSTEMS: FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES ........................................................................................ 11
2.1 DEFINING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES .......................................................................................................................... 11
2.2. RICE AGRO‐ECOSYSTEMS .................................................................................................................................. 12
2.3 REGULATION FUNCTIONS................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.1 Paddy fields affecting local climate .................................................................................................... 13
2.3.2 Paddy fields interacting with global climate ....................................................................................... 13
2.3.3 Function of conserving water resources ............................................................................................. 15
2.3.4 Function of prevention of soil erosion ................................................................................................. 16
2.3.5 Functions of preservation of biodiversity and habitat for wildlife ...................................................... 16
2.3.6 Function of pest suppression ............................................................................................................... 19
2.3.7 Function of flood prevention ............................................................................................................... 19
2.4 PROVISION AND CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................ 21
2.4 SUPPORT ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
2.4.1 Function of soil nutrient cycling .......................................................................................................... 21
2.4.2 Function of water purification ............................................................................................................. 22
2.4.3 Function of air purification .................................................................................................................. 22
2.4.4 Function for photosynthesis ................................................................................................................ 23
2.5 CULTURE ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
2.5.1 Function of supporting cultural identity .............................................................................................. 23
2.5.2 Function of preserving amenities for recreation and relaxation ......................................................... 23
2.6 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 23
3 CASE STUDY IN CENTRAL PLAIN OF THAILAND: AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE .................................................... 24
3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................... 24
3.1.1 Meteorological Data (1993‐2009) ...................................................................................................... 24
3.1.2 Soil characteristics .............................................................................................................................. 26
3.2 RICE AND RICE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN AYUTTHAYA ............................................................................................... 26
3.2.1 Rice cultivation .................................................................................................................................... 27
3.2.2 Ecosystem services .............................................................................................................................. 28
2
3.3 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
4. ECONOMIC VALUATION ......................................................................................................................... 29
4.1 THE ECONOMIC VALUES OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS .................................................................................................. 29
4.2 ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL VALUATION STUDIES ........................................................................................................ 32
4.2.1 Function of provision of food and aquaculture ................................................................................... 32
4.2.2 Regulation functions ........................................................................................................................... 32
4.2.3 Culture, recreation .............................................................................................................................. 33
4.2.4 Support functions ................................................................................................................................ 33
4.3 SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................................... 33
5 GAP (GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES) AND IMPACTS ON IMPROVING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ............... 33
5.1 GAP for rice production .......................................................................................................................... 33
6 POLICY AND STAKEHOLDERS ................................................................................................................... 39
7 CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................ 41
7.1 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 41
7.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 41
7.2.1 Research .............................................................................................................................................. 41
7.2.2 Implementation ................................................................................................................................... 42
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 43
APPENDIX 1: RICE–FISH AND RICE‐DUCK ECOSYSTEMS ............................................................................... 45
APPENDIX 2: INSECTS AND PESTS FOUND IN RICE FARM (PHOTOS) ............................................................. 49
APPENDIX 3: RICE VARIETIES IN THAILAND ................................................................................................. 53
APPENDIX 3: VALUES OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES .......................................................................................... 56
APPENDIX 4: USE OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS FROM RICE FIELDS .................................................................. 57

3
1 Demarcation of central plain of Thailand and rice cultivation
1.1 Demarcation of Central Plain of Thailand
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Thailand)
Figure 1: Demarcation of the Central Plain of Thailand
There are three ways to define Thailand regions. One is based on geography, hydrology and
geomorphology; a second is based upon socio-economic characteristics; and a third one is based on
administration, policy and conventions. In this study, the Central Plain of Thailand is defined
according to geographic reference.
Central Plain is a region of Thailand covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It
is separated from North-East Thailand (Isan) by the Phetchabun mountain range, and another
mountain range separates it from Myanmar to the west. In the north it gently changes into the hilly
terrain in Northern Thailand. The area was the heartland of the Ayutthaya kingdom, and is still the
dominant area of Thailand. Central Thailand contains the Thai capital of Bangkok. Central
Thailand is the most populated region in the country.
The following provinces form parts of central plain of Thailand
1. Ang Thong
2. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
3. Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon)
4. Kamphaeng Phet
5. Lop Buri
6. Nakhon Nayok
7. Nakhon Pathom
8. Nakhon Sawan
9. Nonthaburi
10. Pathum Thani
11. Phetchabun
4
12. Phichit
13. Phitsanulok
14. Sukhothai
15. Samut Prakan
16. Samut Sakhon
17. Samut Songkhram
18. Saraburi
19. Sing Buri
20. Suphan Buri
21. Uthai Thani
1.2 Land Use Map of Thailand
Source: www.ldd.go.th
Land Development Department, Thailand
Figure 2: Land use map of Thailand
From land use map of Thailand (figure 2), it can be noted that maximum amount of rice cultivation
area is in central plain and northeast of Thailand. The main Chao Phraya river basin and many other
sub basins are found in central plain of Thailand; hence the maximum area is under rice cultivation
and many other agricultural purposes. The main city (Capital city) Bangkok is also located in central
plain of Thailand, which captures large number of tourists and industrial sites.
5
1.3 Rice cultivation in Thailand and in central plain
The following figures (3-4) provide general information on the dynamics of rice cropping in Thailand
then in central plain of Thailand (area planted, area harvested, production over time, dry season / wet
season coverage) (Source: Office of Agricultural Economics, Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives, Statistical Forecasting Bureau, National Statistical Office).
NB: “Major Rice” sometimes refers to as primary rice or wet season rice or rainfed rice; “Second
Rice” sometimes refers to as irrigated rice or dry season rice. 1 Rai = 0.16 ha
Figure 3a. Thailand: Major Rice Cultivation (wet season)
Figure 3b. Thailand: Second Rice Cultivation (dry season)
6
Figure 3c. Central Plain of Thailand: Major Rice Cultivation (wet season rice, mostly rainfed)
Figure 3d. Central Plain of Thailand: Second Rice Cultivation (dry season rice, mostly irrigated)
7
Figure 4a: Major rice cultivation area (Provincial
basis) in central plain of Thailand
Figure 4b: Second rice cultivation area (Provincial

basis) in central plain of Thailand
8
1.4 Meteorological Data
Meteorological information of central plain of Thailand is presented in table 1 and figure 5, e.g.
temperature, rainfall, evaporation, humidity. All meteorological data are average data from 1980-
2009. Maximum rainfall is observed between May to Oct. (monsoonal rainy season) and other months
refer to the dry season. Rice cultivation performed during rainy days is called wet season rice, which
is highly dependent on rain, except in areas with irrigation facilities.
Table 1: Meteorological Data: Central Plain of Thailand (Average data: 1980-2009)

Mean Mean
Month Max Min Mean Air Avg Rain Avg Rainy Mean Mean Evap Mean RH
Temp
Temp (oC) (oC) Temp (oC) mm Day Sunshine, hr mm %
Jan 32.08 20.37 26.15 5.97 0.90 7.85 4.26 64.50
Feb 33.74 22.43 27.98 13.53 1.60 8.19 5.04 65.25
Mar 35.47 24.79 30.02 46.18 4.11 8.09 6.09 66.45
Apr 35.68 25.11 30.27 61.73 5.26 7.85 6.08 66.90
May 34.74 25.52 30.00 164.32 13.65 6.58 5.59 71.70
Jun 33.64 25.30 29.37 136.18 14.56 5.22 5.00 72.85
Jul 33.15 25.00 28.97 144.19 15.75 4.78 4.80 73.40
Aug 32.90 24.91 28.79 164.09 17.10 4.40 4.54 74.30
Sep 32.61 24.55 28.46 255.78 18.95 4.83 4.21 76.75
Oct 32.11 24.19 28.04 191.08 14.67 5.38 3.91 76.05
Nov 31.56 22.55 26.98 40.46 4.24 7.26 4.15 69.85
Dec 30.99 20.21 25.54 5.22 0.91 7.83 4.28 64.95
(Source: Thai Meteorological Department, 2010)
Figure 5 provides a comparison of climatic profiles between Central Plain region and Northeast (Isan)
region of Thailand.
Figure 5a: Meteorological Data: Central Plain of Thailand
9
Figure 5b: Meteorological data: Northeast Thailand
1.5 Rice production in Thailand: main features
While China and India produce more than half of all global rice (600Mt overall annually), Thailand
contributes (exports) about a third of all rice traded globally (8 Mt of 25Mt on average). Global
trading of rice is therefore very limited, as compared to its global production and consumption
features; to a large extent, producing countries have been self-consuming their production so far.
However, increasing demand from Africa, declining home consumption in exporting transition
countries, and GATT agreements tend to alter that situation towards intensification of global rice
trading. Rice, as the typical Asian staple food crop, is characterized by price volatility, monsoon-
dependency and erratic yields, and a large diversity of production systems. Thailand is only the fifth
world largest rice producers (27Mt), but has long been the largest exporter with almost 8Mt exported
in 2009. Thailand mostly exports white rice, mainly produced in central plain region (5.4Mt in 2009;
by Government and private exporters) and Hom Mali Jasmine Fragrant rice (2.4Mt in 2009; only by
private exporters). Shrinking rice farmers’ population, due to rural outmigration and aging, is an
immediate threat to Thailand rice industry.
Over the last 30 years, Thai rice production and export has remained fairly stable. Cropping area
increased by only 10%. Production is still fraught with low land productivity (2.9t/ha as compared to
a global average of about 4.2 t/ha). Typical rice plots are usually small (less than one ha per family)
and cropped by poor, small-scale peasant farmers. Yet, production systems and cropping practices
vary significantly. Some irrigation systems along main rivers in the central plain of the country show
intensive production, mechanization, high use of pesticides and fertilizers while North-Eastern areas
are much poorer, with more traditional, manual, cropping systems (some being only based upon wet
season / rainfed rice).
1.6 Summary
The central plain region of Thailand, as the lower part of Chao Phraya river basin, forms a geographic
and hydrological entity that features relatively flat landscapes, bi-seasonal climate with monsoonal
high precipitations, and flooded paddy rice cropping as the largely predominant cropping system.
Central plain is the “rice bowl” of Thailand. White rice and co-products are the main productions.
One of the region’s peculiar traits is that it includes deeply agrarian and rural countryside settings
(north and upstream) and highly developed urban, residential and industrialized environment
(Bangkok city area) (south and downstream).
10
2 Rice ecosystems: functions and services
2.1 Defining ecosystem services
According to Floresca (2009), ecosystem services are benefits which people obtain from ecosystems.
Similarly, Brown (2006) explained that ecosystem goods and services are the flows from an
ecosystem which are of relatively immediate benefit to humans and occur naturally.
This allows for differentiating between externalities incurred by rice production itself (some positive
ones, many negative ones –GHG emissions, water pollution), and ecosystem goods and services
offered by the whole rice ecosystem (e.g. flood management, groundwater recharge).
Figure 6 proposes to further differentiate these concepts on the basis economic value and use. Water-
dependant systems may bear two kinds of value.
One is related to direct use (be it extractive or not, located in-stream or off-stream) of the water
resource. These include local socioeconomic activities that directly draw economic benefits from the
water resource and from related-resources; rice production, rice-fish systems, local navigation,
domestic uses, small water-dependant enterprises, and the like, are typical of Central Plain of
Thailand. A key trait of such activities is that they benefit private agents (households, farmers,
fishermen, local businesses and the like). Also, realization of a benefit by these private agents usually
supposes they incur operation costs, input and production factor mobilization.
Figure 6. Differentiating between use value and non-use value in water systems
(adapted from Griffin, 2008)
The other type of value does not refer to any specific use, but rather to the existence and natural,
biophysical functioning of the resource, in its regional, geological, climatic, geomorphological
contexts. For instance, in Central Plain of Thailand, rice ecosystems are commonly praised for
contributing to flood mitigation, ornithological biodiversity conservation, and groundwater recharge.
Such services are public goods, in the sense that they do not benefit any specific agent, but rather a
large part of society, which collectively benefits from, with no specific action or intervention.
However, it must be kept in mind that, without the activities carried out by all local stakeholders
involved in socioeconomic use, there would be no or limited ecosystem services. Also, strategic
thinking, and policy development and implementation on environmental services are complex and
difficult since decisions and management practices in the private sphere impact upon societal benefits.
11
Private actions may be fully rational, legitimate, legal, and even economically sound (e.g.
intensification of rice cropping in farmers’ fields) while those could be detrimental to some ecosystem
services, benefiting the society and general public (e.g. biodiversity).
The concept of payment for environmental services aims to capture the idea of a (collective) fee
attached to benefiting such services, which fee may further serve as compensation or an incentive to
direct users to continue, implement or adapt practices conducive to sustained ecosystem services.
Owing to such distinctions, methodologies for evaluating use values, the different kinds of ecosystem
services differ widely, as seen in section 4. In the following sections (2.2 to 2.5), a number of
“functions” performed by rice ecosystems are discussed. Regulation, support and culture functions
should be considered ecosystem services as such, since they refer mostly to non-use value. Economic
development function mostly refers to use value.
2.2. Rice agroecosystems
Paddy fields comprise an artificial environment that operates in concert with the natural environment.
Rather than having an “impact” on the environment, paddy fields become part of a new environment
with ecological processes that reflect the influences of both man and nature (Groenfeldt, 2006). The
rice agro-ecosystems are typically categorized into five major types: 1. Irrigated rice fields, 2. Rain
fed rice fields, 3. Deepwater rice fields, 4. Upland rice fields and 5. Tidal rice fields (Edirisinghe,
2006). Figure 7 proposes another, yet similar, classification, based upon location and water use. Rice
production in central plain region of Thailand is predominantly irrigated (dry and wet seasons). Only
highland plots and areas with no irrigation facilities are rainfed (e.g. in Isaan / Northeast Thailand).
Figure 7: Rice Ecosystems (Greenland 1997, adapted from IRRI 1993)
12
2.3 Regulation functions
2.3.1 Paddy fields affecting local climate
Due to the effect of evaporation from paddy fields covered in water, paddy fields can have a cooling
effect on ambient environment. In this way, paddy fields contribute to the climatic mitigation (1.3 °C
on average) of surrounding areas, particularly in summertime (Yoshida, 2001). In South Korea, it is
estimated that about 6mm of water in paddy fields evaporates every day. This brings down the air
temperature during Korea’s hot summer. The value of the energy which would otherwise be needed
for cooling amounts to about 346 million kL of crude oil. The value of this function is about US$
1,175 million (Dong-Kyun, 2002). In winter, paddy fields may cause an increase in temperature (Wu
and Lee, 2004). This function has been recognized in peri-urban areas where paddy and urban land
are scattered. The temperature effect is higher where the paddy area is larger and is applicable up to
150 to 200m downwind of paddy areas (Yokohari et al., 1998). No research has been carried out on
such regulatory function in central plain of Thailand. The approach used by Dong-Kyun (2002) could
be applied.
2.3.2 Paddy fields interacting with global climate
While rice production is affected by climate change and related extreme events. According to ADB,
Thailand suffered more than $1.75 billion in economic losses related to floods, storms, and droughts
from 1989 to 2002. The main share of that ($1.25 billion) was from crop yield losses.
Irrigated rice production is in turn contributing to climate change, and is harmful to the environment
(Roger et al., 1998; Tilman et al., 2001; Wenjun et al., 2006). Flooded rice grows under anaerobic
conditions, which favor methane formation and release (CH4 is 21 times more potent than CO2 as a
GHG). About 120g of CH4 is released in the atmosphere for each kg of rice produced. Overall,
world’s rice cropping under flooded conditions contributes 60 million tons CH4 per year (or 13% of
all anthropogenic CH4 emissions). In 2005, Thailand's methane emissions equaled 91.6 million tons of
carbon dioxide equivalents, 51% of which were due to rice cultivation - a statistic that is drawing
international attention to the climate effects of rice paddies (Corinne Kisner, 2008).
Alternative cropping practices, including alternate wetting and drying conditions, sparing water use,
well-drained, non-puddled soils, may significantly reduce CH4 emission. However, such conditions
may result in increased nitrous oxide emission if N fertilization is ill-managed or in excess. N2O is
300 time more potent than CO2 as a GHG. All in all, research show that about 60 to 90% of global
warming impact of rice relates to production at field level.
Thailand’s climate change action plan (Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, 2000) includes
specific measures in order to reduce GHG emissions from rice fields: low-methane rice cultivars,
direct seeding, soil aeration in conjunction with water management, organic matter and fertilizer
management, methane production inhibitors. All measures are captured within the concept of Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP) as promoted by the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand’s Ministry
of Agriculture. Yet, the large diversity of cropping systems and water management practices, and
prevailing socioeconomic constraints faced by farmers hampers concrete implementation of GAP.
Unlike other crops which environmental focus is set on reducing carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide
emissions from deforestation, mechanization, and chemical fertilizer use, rice production’s greatest
impact is through methane. In the context of flooded ecosystems, organic fertilizers may not help in
the way they can with other cereals because methane is emitted through the anaerobic fermentation of
organic matter in flooded rice plots.
Table 2 features possible measures for mitigating greenhouse emission from agricultural ecosystems,
their apparent effects on reducing emission of individual gases where adopted (mitigative effect), and
an estimate scientific confidence that the proposed practice can reduce overall net emission at the size
of adoption. It highlights that, among other more efficient measures, rice management and water
13
management show uncertainty in effects, with weak agreement and confidence on their capacity to
mitigate GHGs emissions.
Table 2. An evaluation of possible measures for mitigating Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions
Net
Mitigative effects mitigation (confidence)
Measure Examples CO2 CH4 N2O Agreement Evidence
Cropland
management Agronomy + +/- *** **
Nutrient management + + *** **
Tillage/residue management + +/- ** **
Water management +/- + * *
Rice management +/- + +/- ** **
Agro-forestry + +/- *** *
Set-aside, Land use change + + + *** ***
Notes:
+ denotes reduces emissions or enhanced removal (positive mitigative effect);
- denotes increased emissions or suppressed removal (negative mitigative effect);
+/-denotes uncertain or variable response
A qualitative estimate of the confidence in describing the proposed practice as a measure for reducing net emission
of greenhouse gases, express as CO2-eq
Agreement refers to the relative degree of consensus in the literature (the more asterisks, the higher the agreement);
Evidence refers to the relative amount of data in support of the proposed effect (the more asterisks, the more evidence).
(Source: adapted from Smith et al., 2007a., IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change, 2007)
The most prominent options for mitigation of GHG emission in rice cultivation are:
Cropland management
Using an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer by avoiding applications in excess of
immediate plant requirements, by applying it at the right time, and by placing it more
precisely in the soil. Reducing the reliance on fertilizers by adopting cropping systems
such as use of rotations with legume crops has a high mitigation potential.
No burning of crop residues in the field.
Reducing tillage: No-till agriculture can increase carbon in the soil, but in industrial
farming settings this may be offset by increasing reliance on herbicides and machinery.
However, for organic systems some preliminary study results showed that reduced
tillage without the use of herbicides has positive benefits for carbon sequestration in the
soil.
Improved water and rice cropping patterns
In the off-rice season, methane emissions can be reduced by improved water management,
especially by keeping the soil as dry as possible and avoiding water logging.
14
Table 3: Data methane emission from paddy field in Thailand
Location Range of CH4 Season total Experimental References
flux Treatment
mg/m2/hr g/m2
Ayutthaya 3.3‐7.9 13.0‐20.0 CU,OM,WM Siriratpiraya, 1990
Bang Khen 4.3‐21.7 16.0‐55.0 SE Minami, 1994;Yagi et al., 1994b
ChaiNat 1.6 4.0 Minami, 1994,Yagi et al., 1994b
Chaing Mai 3.7‐5.5 9.0‐13.0 MF,OM Jermsawatdipong et al.,1994
Chaing Mai 9.0‐9.5 20.0‐21.0 CU Siriratpiriya et al 1995
Khlong Luang 3.8 8.0 Minami, 1994;Yagi et al., 1994b
Khon Kaen 23.0 76.0 Minami, 1994;Yagi et al., 1994b
Nakompathom 9.4‐12.0 25.0‐32.0 SE Tomprayoon et al., 1991
Pathumthani 1.9 ‐ 4.6 5.0 ‐ 11.0 MF Jermsawatdipong et al., 1994
Phitsanulok 6.6 ‐ 7.2 17.0 ‐ 18.0 SE Katoh et al, 1995
Phrae 16.6 ‐ 22.2 51.0‐69.0 SE Minami, 1994; Yagi et al., 1994b
Ratchaburi 3.2‐42.5 9.0‐117.0 MF,OM Jermsawatdipong et al., 1994
San Pa Tong 10.4 ‐ 16.1 25.0‐40.0 SE Minami, 1994; Yagi et al., 1994b
Surin 15.0 ‐ 24.5 41.0 ‐ 66.0 MF,OM Jermsawatdipong et al., 1994
Surin 13.3 41.0 Jermsawatdipong et al., 1994
Suphan Buri 19.5 ‐ 32.2 51.0 ‐ 75.0 SE Minami, 1994; Yagi et al., 1994b
(Source: adapted from Minami, 1995)

Experimental treatment: CU – cultivars, MF – fertilizers, OM – organic matter, SE – seasons (early
and late rice, or dry and rainy seasons), SO – soil types, WM – water management
2.3.3 Function of conserving water resources
Water drawn from rivers to irrigate paddy fields penetrates into the soil. The water that does not
evaporate eventually drains away and returns to the rivers. Some of this water contributes to the
stabilization of flow regimes, while some of the rest penetrates deep into the ground and becomes part
of the groundwater resources. The soil of paddy fields and similar areas also absorbs rainwater at
times when they are not being irrigated. This reusable water in the soil and subsoil is evaluated as the
function of conserving the water resources of fields used for paddy and crop fields (Yoshida, 2001).
Rice production contributes to water management. Paddy fields are under water during the rice crop,
and have the function of contributing to the underground water. Dong-Kyun (2002) estimated that, in
South Korea, 55% of the water stored by paddy fields goes to rivers, while the other 45% is stored as
underground water, accounting for 5,420 million cubic-meters annually. The value of this function is
about US$ 1,224 million each year.
In Japan, groundwater recharge, which was estimated based on saturated hydraulic conductivity and
growing period with standing irrigation water in the paddy, was 2,421.7 m3 ha-1 cropping-1 (Yoshida,
2001). Groundwater recharge this is an important hydrologic feature of rice irrigation. In Kumamoto
area of Japan, 85% of all groundwater recharge is accounted for from paddy fields (Ichikawa, 2002;
Chen, 2005). In Taiwan, it is estimated that 21-23% of paddy irrigation water in the highland areas
infiltrate into the groundwater, while 4-8 % of upland irrigation water is accounted for groundwater
recharge (Liu et al., 200; Chen, 2005). The magnitude of recharge depends on soil texture, soil
structure, thickness of the layer, soil and water temperature, ponding depth, groundwater level and
topographic features (Liu et al, 2004; Chen, 2005). No research has been performed on such
15
regulatory function in central plain of Thailand per se. However, many local studies on basin
hydrology and irrigation systems do exist and could be exploited.
2.3.4 Function of prevention of soil erosion
In the process of crop cultivation, levees are repaired and organic materials are added to the soil. This
leads to an increase in the bulk density of soil, while the ground surface is gradually smoothed and
flattened. Both these effects reduce loss of soil by water and wind erosion. However, if cultivated
fields are abandoned and left fallow, soil is likely to be eroded. Soil erosion can be prevented by
paddy rice cultivation (Yoshida, 2001). Paddy fields also contribute to soil conservation. Annual soil
losses in South Korea amount to about 1.17 million metric tons. A significant amount of cultivated
soil is protected by the fact that it is used for paddy rice. The value of paddy fields in reducing soil
erosion is estimated at US$ 713 million (Dong-Kyun, 2002). No research has been carried out on such
regulatory function of rice ecosystem in central plain of Thailand per se. However, many local studies
on basin hydrology (rainfall and runoff) do exist and could be exploited.
2.3.5 Functions of preservation of biodiversity and habitat for wildlife
An important aspect of preserving biodiversity is to conserve the native species and indigenous
varieties of each region and ecosystems. Substituting imported products for domestic ones may
destroy native flora (Dong-Kyun, 2002). Flooded rice ecosystems whenever established, are located in
wetlands, water-rich or even aquatic environments. Also, owing to dependency upon irrigation
infrastructures, paddy plots are fairly perennial, not being dismantled or subject to land use shifts
frequently. So they usually and quite naturally host aquatic fauna and flora. Rich biodiversity has
become associated with rice fields. It is an ecosystem that sustains not only the people whose staple
diet is rice but also a diverse assemblage of plants and animals that have made rice fields this niche.
The rice fields offer shelter, food, breeding and nesting grounds to the various kinds of animals, birds,
and insects. The flooded rice fields are an ideal habitat for a variety of aquatic invertebrate
communities comprising neuston, zooplankton, nekton, periphyton and benthos. Aquatic vertebrates
such as freshwater fish and amphibians colonize the fields during the aquatic phase for breeding, and
these in turn attract numerous species of predatory birds. Rice plant growth stages vegetative and
reproductive growth stages attracts variety phytophagous insects and promote growth weeds. The
arthropod community found in rice abundantly. Proper weeds growth in the rice field and the
surrounding bunds add another advantage to this ecosystem (Edirisinghe and Bambaradeniya, 2006).
In Fukuoka prefecture of Japan, 30% of animal rare species live in the paddy environment. These
habitats have importance for ecosystem health and biodiversity both locally and for the global
ecosystem through migratory birds (e.g., cranes) and insects (Chen, 2005).
Paddy rice farming contributes indirectly to the production of forests and wildlife habitats. Rice straw
and rice husk, the byproducts of the rice harvest, serve as a source of organic fertilizer and as a
feedstuff for livestock, especially cattle. This not only helps prevent woods and forests from being
overexploited, but also contributes to the protection of wildlife habitats (Dong-Kyun, 2002).
The biological function of the paddy landscape lies in the wetland habitat it provides to animal and
plant forms. These habitats have importance for ecosystem health and biodiversity both locally and
for the global ecosystem through migratory birds (e.g. cranes) and insects (Groenfeldt, 2006).
The following animal and insects commonly live in rice fields in Central Plain of Thailand: spotted
munia (Lochura punctulata), ricefield crab (Esanthelphusa spp.), roof rat, ship rat (Rattus
rattus), ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer), great bandicoot (Bandicota indica), lesser
bandicoot (Bandicota savilei), golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata).
Also, extremely rare and endangered fish species are also found in deeper river systems: Himantura
chaopraya (Giant freshwater stingray) and Himantura signifer (edged-freshwater white stingray)
(both from Dasyatidae family).
Many different birds species are found in central plain of Thailand, which actually forms the largest
wetland bird sanctuary of the country (an Important Bird Area –IBA- as shown in figure 8) while
16
remaining officially largely unprotected. The IBA comprises the Lower Central Plain of the Chao
Phraya River, which extends inland from the Gulf of Thailand and encompasses the environs of
Bangkok. The Lower Central Plain was formerly a vast area of natural and semi-natural swamps,
well-watered throughout the year by four major rivers: the Chao Phraya, Bang Pakong, Pasak and
Mae Klong. However, the area was the focus of massive irrigation system developments in the early
20th Century, and current land-use is dominated by intensive rice cultivation, with only small remnant
patches of wetland habitats and extensive agriculture. Due to high human population density and
levels of use, it is unrealistic for anything but a small fraction of the area to be placed under strict
conservation management. However, the Lower Central Plain was designated as a single IBA because
conservation actions aimed at controlling hunting and promoting compatible forms of land-use are
required across the whole area. Sites within the IBA currently afforded some protection include Wat
Phai Lom (11 ha), Wat Tan En (16 ha), Bung Chawak (320 ha) and Wat Ratsattha Krayaram (7 ha)
Non-hunting Areas.
Several globally threatened species occur in the Lower Central Plain and the area regularly supports
well in excess of 20,000 waterbirds. A number of globally threatened species regularly occur at the
site, some of them in significant numbers. The site regularly supports Aythya baeri and Imperial Eagle
Aquila heliaca. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis is an occasional non-breeding visitor,
while Baikal Teal Anas formosa and Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius are vagrants. In addition,
there are historical records of the globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus.
In recent years, the site has supported over 1% of the Asian biogeographic population of Grey-headed
Lapwing Vanellus cinereus, Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia and the globally near-
threatened Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala. Other globally near-threatened species to occur at
the site in significant numbers are Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus and Black-headed Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus, while Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Band-bellied Crake
Porzana paykullii have also been recorded, although not in significant numbers.
Table 4. Rare and endangered birds of the central plain region
Species Notes
†Greater Adjutant Formerly widespread in Thailand, the species is now on the verge of national extinction,
Leptoptilos dubius and occurs at the IBA only as a vagrant. Singles have been recorded at three different
localities, in mid‐June 1995, January 1986 and November 2002; the latter was among a
flock of 16 Black‐headed Ibises at Wat Kusarot, Ayutthaya.
†Baer's Pochard The species is a rare winter visitor to the site. Two birds were seen at Rangsit marsh in
Aythya baeri January 1991 and two were seen at Kasetsart University (undated).
†Baikal Teal The species is a vagrant to the site. There is a single record of two females and two males
Anas formosa among 12,000 Garganey (Anas querquedula) at Kasetsart University in January 1992.
Greater Spotted Eagle At least 8 to 10 individuals winter annually at the site, the most important known
Aquila clanga wintering population of the species in Thailand. Birds wintering at the site also use the
Inner Gulf of Thailand (IBA TH032).
†Imperial Eagle The species is an annual winter visitor in very low numbers. Birds wintering at the site
Aquila heliaca also use the Inner Gulf of Thailand (IBA TH032).
Spot‐billed Pelican The species was formerly more numerous but is currently an occasional non‐breeding
Pelecanus philippensis visitor.
Manchurian Reed Warbler The species was recorded at Rangsit marsh in march 2001. The species is a winter visitor
Acrocephalus tangorum as passage migrant perhaps.
Grey‐headed Lapwing The maximum count of the species at the site is 368 birds between Sena and Band Sai
Vanellus cinereus districts, Ayutthaya province, in January 2003.
Intermediate Egret A count of 1,000 birds was made in Maharaj district, Ayutthaya province, in January 1999.
Mesophoyx intermedia
Painted Stork A count of 200 to 250 birds was made in December 1995.
Mycteria leucocephala
Notes: † = not confirmed to regularly occur in significant numbers.
17
Figu
Figure 8: Map of Important Bird Areas for Conservation in Thailand
(Source: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (2010))
18
2.3.6 Function of pest suppression
Table 5 features the main diseases occurring in rice cropping systems.
Table 5: Rice diseases according to region and cropping system

Rainfed Area Irrigation Area
Rice Blast N, NE Dirty Panicle Disease C, W, N, NE, S
Bacterial Leaf Blight N, NE, C Sheath Blight C, N, S
Bacterial Leaf Streak NE, C, S Brown Spot C, W, N, NE, S
Root Knot Nematodes N, NE Sheath Rot C
Sheath Rot C Ragged Stunt Disease C
Sheath Blight C, N, S Orange Leaf Diseases C
Dirty Panicle Disease C, W, N, NE, S Red Strip Diseases C
Bakanae N, W, NE Leaf Scald C
C ‐ Central Bakanae N, W, NE
N ‐ North Yellow Orange Leaf C
NE ‐ North East Yellow Dwarf Diseases C
W ‐ West Grassy Stunt Disease C
S ‐ South Gall Dwarf Disease C
Akiochi C
Narrow Brown Spot C, W, N, NE, S
Source: Rice Knowledge Bank, Thailand, available at: http://www.brrd.in.th/rkb/
Being mostly irrigated, with 2 cropping seasons par year, rice in central plain area is most exposed
and sensitive to various diseases. No research has been performed as yet on pest suppression or
mitigation by rice ecosystems in central plain.
2.3.7 Function of flood prevention
Paddy fields surrounded by ridges temporarily store water at times of heavy rain, and discharge it
gradually into downstream rivers and surrounding areas. In this way, they prevent or mitigate the
damage which might otherwise be caused by floods. This role played by agricultural land is called the
water retention function (Yoshida, 2001). In central plain of Thailand, paddy rice fields are used for
that purpose in many occasions and play a major role in preventing flooding of urban areas
downstream (Ayuttaya, Bangkok).
In Korea’s monsoon climate, more that 60% of the year’s precipitation falls during the three summer
months (June, July and August). This is also the rice-growing season. Hence, many dams are required
to manage surface water. However, flood damage occurs every year, as the result of sudden
downpours. Paddy fields help control flooding because they contain water over the wet season and
release it over the dry season. They are estimated to store a total of 2,733 million m3 of water, valued
at US$ 1,208 million (Dong-Kyun, 2002). It was estimated that 20% of flooded water in the lower
Mekong River Basin during 1999 and 2000 was temporally stored in paddy fields that were later used
in the further downstream paddy fields (Masumoto et al, 2004; Chen, 2005). Floating-rice farming in
the delta has played important roles. It can be summarized as having low input and low yield but
sustainable farming. Cultivated floating-rice area decreased from 228,000 ha in 1987 to 114,000 ha in
1997 (CTI et al., 1999). Floating rice can grow flexibly according to irregular increases in water level.
Problems of flooding in Chao Phraya Delta often occur in October and November. Paddy field
cultivating with high yield variety can’t receive too much water during flood. However floating rice
19
area has great possibility to receive surplus water which contributes to flood mitigation at regional
level. At Chao Phraya delta floating rice area can be estimated at 2280 million m3 assuming area
114000 ha water depth 2 m. The volume would be almost same as the storage in the remaining paddy
fields in the water management wet season, assuming water depth 0.2 m. If we could convey surplus
water to the floating-rice area to decrease the peak flood discharge with a depth of 25 cm (5 cm day–1
for 5 days), also act as a buffer function. Water released from the floating-rice area can be used in
downstream areas and it contributes to decreasing the salinity concentration at the beginning of the
water management dry season.
Table 6. Rice systems and flood mitigation: management methods and impacts
(Source: Rice is Life: Scientific perspective for 21st century, 2004)
Paddy farming has an ability to filter sediment in landscape and contribute to flood mitigation. Agus,
F. et al., 2004; flood mitigation by paddy farming it can be assessed by the following guideline:
(TPS – FC). AZ + PC + IC
TPS: Total Soil Pores (%)
FC: Water Content at Field Capacity (%)
AZ: Depth of Water Absorption Zone (not applicable as paddy field is saturated during most
of planting seasons)
PC: Surface Ponding Capacity, PCpaddy filed = Dike Height – Normal Water Level
IC: Interception Capacity, base on vegetation, IC paddy filed= 0.003
Flood mitigation Water Retention Capacity, WRC
Watershed or field area capacity to absorb water and hold rain
Water hold in soil pores and as well stored by paddy fields

20
While contribution to flood mitigation, and even to flood control and damage avoidance, by paddy
fields is probably very significant in central plain area, no quantitative economic valuation of such
service has been performed as yet on a large scale basis.
2.4 Provision and contribution to economy and development
Rice farming also maintains the economic viability of rural communities, through the revenue from
rice. As a result, rural people are more likely to remain on their farms, thereby avoiding excessive
concentrations of the population in urban areas (Dong-Kyun, 2002).
In Sri Lanka, agriculture provides employment to 30% of country population and it helps to keep
control of migration to cities for employment. Therefore, Sri Lanka Government keeps investing on
irrigation sector not only for food security but also for balanced territorial development (INWEPF,
2007).
Another opportunity offered by irrigated rice landscapes is eco-tourism. In Bali, rural hotels located in
the midst of paddy lands use this as a feature to attract tourists, and arrange farm visits for the guests
(Groenfeldt, 2006). In industrialized countries, such as Japan and Republic of Korea, urban dwellers
are willing to travel to paddy fields for sightseeing and recreation. In Bali, paddy fields are light spots
of local ecotourism (Chen, 2005).
Local rice systems may also be hotspots of social capital and decentralized governance. Traditionally,
small-scale paddy-based irrigation systems were built and managed by the farmers themselves.
Today, participatory management of local irrigation systems is an important trend as a way of
improving management and reducing operating costs. A multi-functional aspect of this approach is
the strengthening of social capital that participatory irrigation management stimulates. The skills and
experience that farmers gain through the cooperative management of their irrigation system can be
applied to other entrepreneurial endeavors and thereby contribute to broad-based rural development.
Multifunctional water user associations: Water user associations – whether traditional (e.g.,
Balinese subaks, noth Thailand), or newly established through government programs (as in
Vietnam and the Philippines) serve functions of local governance, and can themselves serve
multiple functions.
While traditional self-management and local governance do exist in Northern Thailand, rice schemes
in central plain are much larger and de-facto under Royal Irrigation Department management, with
little actual active participation in collective decision-making processes by farmers.
While rice systems support many livelihoods, directly and indirectly (multiplier effects), no research
has been performed as yet on the economic and socioeconomic contribution of rice ecosystems in
central plain.
2.4 Support
2.4.1 Function of soil nutrient cycling
Nutrient cycling estimated base on the rice straw yield and its nutrient content consisted of 16.9 kg N
ha-1, 12.0 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 55.8 kg K2O ha-1 (Floresca, 2009). Sandy soils, which have low water
holding capacity and less plant nutrients, are mostly found in Northeastern Thailand. Clay soils, which
have high water holding capacity and high plant nutrients, are mostly found in the Central Thailand
and are more suitable for rice plantation.
Figure 9 features N inputs and outputs in paddy rice fields according to experiments in Japan (Feng et
al., 2003). Only 60% of N inputs are actually taken up by rice. However, results differ significantly
between studies, according to fertilizer types, application method and scheduling, soil pH,
meteorological conditions and the like.
21
Denitrification
Irrigation
Runoff
N2 Fixation
Rainfall
Fertilizer Rice
Uptake
Soil
Figure 9. Nitrogen balancing in paddy fields
Experimentations in Japan showed that inputs to phosphorus balance in paddy fields include chemical
fertilizer (about 90% of P input), rainfall (1%) and irrigation water (9%). Outputs include drainage
water (14% of P output), and rice uptake (86%). The soil compartment absorbs and retains 56% of P
fertilizer and creates the difference in P input-output balance (Feng et al., 2003).
From these results, it must be highlighted that under intensification practices (high fertilization)
drainage water and runoff contain large amounts of N and P, leading to potential eutrophication and
pollution, unless recycling takes place. Experiments demonstrate the benefits of recycling drainage
water in further reuse as irrigation water, for water saving, nutrient saving, and pollution control
purposes (Feng et al., 2003).
No research has been performed as yet on nutrient cycling and recycling in rice ecosystems in central
plain, on a large scale basis.
2.4.2 Function of water purification
As long as chemical fertilization remains reasonable, paddy fields behave as artificial wetlands as
their capacity to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Ponding condition of paddy fields causes an
increase in denitrification (Yamaoka et al., 2003; Chen, 2005), which process refers to the
microorganism-led reduction of nitrates (fertilizing yet polluting) into gaseous N2 through various
stages and components. The total amount of contaminated water which is purified in paddy fields
each year is estimated at 704 million mt. This value from rice production of purifying polluted water
is about US$ 1,651 million in South Korea (Dong-Kyun, 2002).
Seasonal organic nitrogen loss by denitrification may be calculated with the following equation
(Tabushi et al., 1993):
D = (0.000011 * T2 + 0.005) * N
D is the amount of denitrification in kg.ha-1
T is the average seasonal water temperature (degree Celsius, between 10-40)
N is total N concentration in paddy water in mg.l-1
2.4.3 Function of air purification
Vegetation growing on cultivated farmland purifies air by absorbing gases which are air pollutants,
such as SO2 and NO2. The volume of these gases absorbed by crop may be calculated and given a
monetary value (Yoshida, 2001). Owing to photosynthesis, rice production helps clean the atmosphere
by absorbing 14 million mt of CO2, and emitting 10 million tons of O2 annually. According to Dong-
22
Kyun (2002, research in South Korea), the value of rice crops in purifying air is about US$ 1,613
million.
2.4.4 Function for photosynthesis
Both rice crop itself and aquatic micro-organisms (algae, aquatic weeds) living in the paddy field do
photosynthesize. Shading by rice field can limit photosynthetic activity of algae in the rice fields.
High and low temperature depresses phytoplankton productivity and photosynthesis. High
temperature is favorable for blue green algae and low temperature for eukaryotic.
2.5 Culture
2.5.1 Function of supporting cultural identity
Throughout the rice producing regions of Southeast Asia, the integration of paddy cultivation and
local cultures has been evolving for thousands of years. Religious rituals and cultural identity are tied
to the rice cycle (Groenfeldt, 2006). Paddy cultivation is a living heritage which refers to tradition and
reaffirms that heritage in the present. The significant components of that heritage may include the
visual landscape, the architecture of rural buildings, the irregular bunds marking the borders of the
paddy fields, the irrigation channels themselves, and the fields themselves with paddy growing, or the
empty fields between crops. Culture heritage also has less visible and invisible components: particular
varieties of rice which have cultural meaning, as well as nutritional and culinary significance, the
knowledge of the consumer that the rice has been cultivated in a particular way, and in a particular
place that has meaning (and may be reflected very directly in the price of that variety), even the
consumers’ knowledge that by purchasing this particular rice, they are supporting farmers who are
maintaining agricultural traditions (Groenfeldt, 2006).
2.5.2 Function of preserving amenities for recreation and relaxation
Lowland paddy fields and upland fields not only constitute a beautiful rural landscape, but also create
unique natural, cultural, and social environments. Many of those living in urban areas like to visit the
countryside, seeking the landscape and natural amenities that cannot be found in cities, as well as for
leisure and relaxation (Yoshida, 2001; Dong-Kyun, 2002).
Rice ecosystems also bear landscape value. Many people, both urban and rural, enjoy the scenery of
paddy fields (and other forms of agriculture) and may be willing to pay for this experience. The visual
benefits of the landscape are easy to experience (by driving or in the compact urban setting of Japan,
even by walking) into the countryside (Groenfeldt, 2006).
Aesthetic values can overlie the values of cultural heritage, landscape, and even religion. As artists
and art critics can attest, there is an aesthetic aspect to viewing not only art, but the world at large. The
human appreciation of the spacious, tranquil verdant landscape is an expression of aesthetic values.
So too is the appreciation of the particular flavor or aroma, or appearance of a particular rice variety,
or rice preparation made from that variety. The pleasure that an urban-dwelling Japanese businessman
experiences upon viewing a traditional farmhouse derives from a combination of cultural and
aesthetic values. The appreciation that underlies a consumer’s willingness to pay a high price for a
particular variety of rice may derive partly from an appreciation of the aesthetics of the cultivation
process – knowing that it was produced on a small farm without using pesticides and in harmony with
nature, etc (Groenfeldt, 2006).
2.6 Summary
Rice ecosystems offer a number of ecosystem services and amenities. However, being mostly
irrigated, and designed and operated for intensive production towards export and agro-industry
sectors, some functions have limited positive effects (support), and some negative externalities are
significant (GHG emissions and high contribution to climate change as the main negative externality
of paddy rice). Among ecosystem services, regulation functions seems to be the most important, as
paddy rice ecosystems contribute significantly to water resource management and conservation,
23
erosion control, preservation of biodiversity and aquatic habitats, and, more importantly in central
plains, flood mitigation and prevention. Paddy rice systems also contribute to the economy (local and
national), to development, and bear very significant cultural value all over South East Asia. In terms
of support functions, paddy fields contribute to nutrient cycling, water purification (denitrification),
air purification, and photosynthesis.
3 Case Study in Central Plain of Thailand: Ayutthaya Province
3.1 General Information
Ayutthaya, Thailand’s former capital city, is located in the flat river plain of the Chao Phraya river
valley in Central Plain of Thailand. Ayutthaya Province is subdivided into 16 districts, 209 sub-
districts and 1,328 villages. Its administrative boundaries are adjoining Ang Thong and Lopburi
provinces in the North, Nakhonpathom, Nonthaburi and Pathumthani provinces in the South, Saraburi
Province in the East, and Suphanburi province in the West.
Total rice crop area covers 1,596,875 rai, and irrigated area is 1,364,710 rai. There are 4 main rivers
namely Chao Phraya, Pasak, Noi and Lopburi rivers flow through Ayutthaya but two rivers
significantly influence rice plantation in Ayutthaya as follows:
1. Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya Dam which is located in Chainat province is the main dam for storing and releasing
water into main canals. There are 2 main canals under Chao Phraya Dam which are beneficial for
agricultural use specifically rice plantation in Ayutthaya as follows: Chainat-Ayutthaya Canal,
Chainat-Pasak Canal
2. Pasak River
Pasak Jolasit Dam which is located in between Lopburi and Saraburi provice is the main dam for
storing and releasing water for agricultural use in three provinces consisting of Lopburi, Saraburi and
Ayutthaya.
3.1.1 Meteorological Data (19932009)
Table 6 and figure 11 recap average meteorological data in Ayutthaya Province. Figure 10 features
land use types.
Table 6: Meteorological Data, Ayutthaya Province

Month Mean Max Mean Min Avg Rain Avg Rainy Mean Sunshine Mean Mean RH Mean Air
o o
Temp, C Temp, C mm Day hr Evap mm % Temp,oC
Jan 33.10 19.70 5.70 0.65 7.70 4.60 62.00 26.30
Feb 34.50 21.80 6.90 1.29 7.90 5.10 64.00 28.00
Mar 35.60 23.80 38.10 4.41 7.30 5.60 67.00 29.50
Apr 36.20 24.80 71.70 6.82 7.90 5.80 69.00 30.40
May 34.70 24.80 137.70 13.41 6.50 5.10 73.00 29.60
Jun 34.00 24.50 124.80 13.71 5.60 4.70 73.00 29.10
Jul 33.60 24.40 122.30 14.29 4.50 4.70 73.00 28.90
Aug 33.10 24.30 169.80 15.41 4.30 4.30 74.00 28.60
Sep 32.60 24.00 252.10 17.63 4.60 3.90 77.00 28.20
Oct 32.70 23.60 107.20 12.00 6.30 3.90 74.00 28.10
Nov 32.20 21.80 35.10 3.41 7.70 4.50 69.00 26.90
Dec 31.80 19.90 9.90 0.88 7.90 4.90 63.00 25.70
24
Figure 10: Land Use Map of Ayutthaya, Source: Land Development Department,
ldd th
25
Figure 11. Meteorological Data, Ayutthaya Province
3.1.2 Soil characteristics
The following tables summarize the physical and chemical characteristics of soils in Ayutthaya
Province.
Table 7a and 7b. Soil characteristics in Ayutthaya Province (Pak Hai district and Tha Ruea district)
3.2 Rice and rice ecosystem services in Ayutthaya
As per Land Development Department, 85 per cent area is under agricultural and remaining is
residential and building area. Most of the agricultural area is under paddy fields (80 %).
26
3.2.1 Rice cultivation
Most of the rice in Ayutthaya is grown in lowland areas paddy fields (ponding: 5-20cm). Deepwater
rice (“floating rice”) (50-100cm ponding) can be found in some limited areas. Rice is cultivated
during wet season and dry season. Rice cropping calendar is different in each area depending on water
availability and rice plantation practice. Cropping calendar can be divided into two main groups
depending on rice plantation practice as follows:
Wet-season rice
June: land preparation including tillage practices
July: sowing rice seed
October: generating ear of rice
December or January: cultivating rice
Dry-season rice (taking around 105-110 days to get yield)

January or February: land preparation including tillage and sowing rice seed
March or April: generating ear of rice
April or May: cultivating rice
Rice growing in Ayutthaya follows different in each district, number of times rice cultivation in each
district is defined as follows:
It is different in each area depending on characteristics of specific area in Ayutthaya.
- 1 time per 1 year: wet-season rice
Three districts namely Pak Hai, Bang Sai and Sena are under this practice. These three districts are
located outside of irrigated area and farmers in these three districts can only plant wet-season rice
(drought).
- 2 times per 1 year: wet-season rice and dry-season rice
Ten districts namely Bang Ban, Pranakornsri Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek, Maharat, Bang Pahan, Nakorn
Laung, Ta Rau, Phachi, Uthai and Wang Noi are under this practice.
- 2 times per 1 year: only irrigated rice (second rice) (or 5 times in 2 years)
Three districts namely Lat Bua Luang, Bang Sai and Bang Pa In are under this practice. These three
districts are located inside of irrigated area so farmers can access water throughout the year. As a
result, farmers grow only irrigated rice practices because they can get higher yields within shorter
time. Some farmers increase land crop density and plant rice up to 5 times over 2 years under
irrigation.
Rice varieties planted during dry season and wet season are different, and listed as follows:
Dry season rice varieties: Suphanburi 1, Suphanburi 3, RD 31, Phitsanulok 2
Wet season rice varieties: Ayutthaya 1, Prachinburi 1, Prachinburi 2, Laung Patiew, Khao Dawk Mali
105
A majority of farmers choose rice varieties by themselves by considering following factors: high
yield, strong stem, fine seed, insect and disease resistance. Few farmers, specifically among the new
generation of farmers, prefer to follow government recommendation through various departments
such as Ayutthaya Rice Research Center and Ayutthaya Provincial Agricultural Extension Office.
Availability of seeds is often an issue though. Choice of rice varieties depends on season (temperature
and daylight time), area characteristics and seasonal rainfall patterns.
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3.2.2 Ecosystem services
Regulation
Paddy rice systems in Ayutthaya area are intensive and use much pesticides and herbicides. In
Ayutthaya rice fields, weeds such as barnyard grass, morning glory, sprangletop and wrinkle duce-
beak are normally found. Farmers use pesticides for controlling weeds after 10-15 days of growing
rice. After that, it depends on the numbers of weed found in rice field. Also farmers do control weeds
not only for space and nutrient competition with rice, but also because weeds tend to offer a shield for
rodents against their natural predators (owls and hawks).
Pests and insects are quite systematically eliminated from rice fields as some are seriously detrimental
to yields. Brown plant hopper destroys rice by sucking nutrients from the rice stem above water level.
This causes rice having yellow leaf which syndrome is called “hopper burn”. In addition, brown plant
hopper is a virus-carrier causing rice having shorter stem, slow-growing leaf and indented leaf which
is called “rice ragged stunt”.
Rodents are widely spread and common in rice fields of Ayutthaya province. They eat rice grains and
sometimes stem and leave. Various kinds of rats found include great bandicoot, lesser bandicoot,
ricefield rat, lesser ricefield rat, fawn-colored mouse and ryukyu mouse. Most farmers in Ayutthaya
use raticides to get rid of them. Also, weed control indirectly supports rodent control (as seen above).
The golden apple snail destroys rice specifically during seedling stage and early rice by eating rice
stem under water level then up to leaf above water level.
Natural predators can potentially contribute to pest control in paddy fields. Insect predators comprise
dragonfly, tortoise beetle, ant lion and earwig. Other predators include spiders, birds and snakes.
Predators can be the part of biological control measures. However, in Ayutthaya, above-mentioned
predators are found in small numbers in rice fields because of the intensive use of pesticides and
chemicals. This depletes the potential preys (pests) and also creates unhealthy environment for their
survival.
Provision
Paddy areas accommodate a number of side productions. Small-size fruit trees such as papaya or
banana are commonly planted along the ridges and dikes of the rice fields. Fruits crops are mostly
used by farmers for self-consumption. Rice remains the major crop, and main livelihood. Some weeds
are edible (e.g. morning glory) but most farmers in Ayutthaya do not collect them. All weeds
(edible or not) are eliminated with chemical herbicides.
Contribution to economy
Paddy rice cropping entails many operation, most labor-intensive (land preparation, transplanting or
broadcasting, harvesting, spraying). Most farmers hire non-family laborers. This creates employment
for the poorest, landless people in local communities. Payment is usually based on working hours.
Support
Officials report issues about nutrient balance to rice cultivation. In Ayutthaya area, farmers usually
take only a month after harvesting before doing next dry-season rice plantation. This is considered a
too-short time for the soil to recover, causing soil problem such as nutrient loss in long term.
Most farmers in Ayutthaya use only chemical fertilizer as they target high yield without considering
the negative effect to land and the environment. However, some farmers, especially new generation
who are educated, informed and trained tend to combine chemical fertilization with organic matter
application. They understand the negative effect of exclusive and intensive use of chemical fertilizer,
and the local benefits of organic fertilizers. However, the issue of methane emission from organic
matter decomposition remains.
28
Culture
Rice farmers believe that there is “goddess of grain” who is protecting and helping farmers to get
plentiful yield. Farmers gather and arrange ceremony in rice fields to worship the goddess and offer
different foods and fruits especially sour fruits such as star gooseberry, tamarind and betel. However
compared to the past, the number of farmers participating has decreased.
Interestingly, there are some indirect benefits from such gatherings as in some occasions government
officials from local divisions also join the ceremonies. Government officials and farmers have then a
chance to interact face to face and enhance communication.
3.3 Summary
The case study in Ayutthaya Province reveals that the concept of ecosystem services is widely
unknown among the stakeholders in the rice production sector. Further, few research have been
carried out, and few information are actually available on ecosystem services in the area. Discussions
with local experts show that some ecosystem functions and services are fulfilled by paddy rice fields,
with regards to culture, provision of goods, and contribution to the economy. However, intensification
of cropping systems and the general use of pesticides hinders most possibilities on support and
regulation.
4. Economic valuation
4.1 The economic values of aquatic ecosystems
As discussed in section 2, rice ecosystems might be private goods; there are usually property rights
over main parts of them (e.g. rice growers owning land). Conversely, ecosystems services do not
belong to anybody; they are public goods, not divided nor shared by people. Ecosystem outcomes
(services) are shared and benefit different individual and collective agents in society, beyond the
agricultural and rural sectors (INWEPF, 2007). In general, ecosystems fulfill multifunctional roles
beyond agriculture in rural areas. These multifunctional roles are often considered as by products
from an agricultural viewpoint. Yet, farmers and their families are often both the custodians and the
suppliers of those multiple functions. Moreover, these functions have the characteristics of a public
good, i.e. they may be accessed and used by anyone without excluding who does not pay. Most of the
time, the beneficiaries of these functions pay little attention to the farmers who provide them
(Yoshida, 2001).
Ecosystems services, as multifunctional roles of ecosystems, are fraught with market failures, i.e. they
do not depend on, nor obey to market mechanism or efficient resource allocation. Market failures
occur when markets do not reflect the full social costs or benefits of a good. Market failures related to
ecosystems include the facts that (i) many ecosystems provide services that are public goods; (ii)
many ecosystem services are affected by externalities (costs or benefits borne by an external agent);
and (iii) property rights related to ecosystems and their services are often not clearly defined (King
and Mazzotta, 2000).
As a result, these services and functions may not be supplied as and when they are needed. Policy
intervention is therefore required in order to maintain these multifunctional roles. However, as these
functions are not traded in any market, they do not have a market price, while they might bear a high
value from user’s viewpoint. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the values and benefits of the
multifunctional roles of agriculture and rural areas in monetary terms, to present these monetary
benefits as one of the important reasons for maintaining such functions (Yoshida, 2001), and possibly
to investigate mechanisms allowing for a transfer of benefits into compensation or incentives towards
those who offer and sustain the services.
Figure 12 clarifies use and non-use values attached to water resources. Use values refer here to
activities that directly require and utilize water (as an input or a medium to the production of a
29
marketable good or service). Non-use values refer to activities that do not extract or utilize water as
such but rather the aquatic ecosystem as a whole.
In other words, direct use value is the benefit obtained from actual use (e.g. rice grain from paddy
fields) whereas indirect, non-use use value is the benefit obtained from an ecosystem function (e.g.
flood mitigation by paddy fields). Non-use also comprise bequest value (potential future use and
patrimony) and existence value (e.g. culture, aesthetics) (Brown et al., 2006).
Figure 12. Different values attached to wetland ecosystems
Figure 12 provides examples of such values in the case of wetland ecosystems. It shows that
environmental economists tend to group the benefits attached to ecosystem functions and services as
indirect, non-use values, while ecosystem services are also attached to use values and non-use values
in other schools of thought, as seen earlier (e.g. culture, support, regulation). It is suggested here that
concepts and definitions provided in figure 12 serve as a shared, accepted conceptual framework in
further studies on rice ecosystems in Central Plain.
The ecosystem services of lowland rice agro-ecosystems need to be assessed to enhance productivity,
food safety, environmental protection, protection and sustainability. The assessment of the ecosystem
services should be in the context of change in sources and levels of inputs, outputs and environmental
burdens brought about by variations in season and cultural practices (Floresca, 2009).
Regarding ecosystem values, some functions and services may refer to a market mechanism (use
value), whereby a price do exist (e.g. fish being caught then sold at local market, rice production);
many other ecosystem services, mostly non-use type, are not traded in markets (e.g. enjoying wildlife
sight, or a view over beautiful landscapes, cultural value). Thus, people benefiting such services do
not pay for them. Additionally, because people are not familiar with purchasing such goods, their
willingness to pay may not be defined. However, this does not mean that ecosystems or their services
have no value, or cannot be valued in monetary terms (King and Mazzotta, 2000).
30
Figure 13. Valuation methods as per utilization-status of water resources (traded good, intermediate
good, public or private final good)

As exemplified in figure 13, water is an intermediate good when it is the input or medium generating
another product (e.g. crops, fish, pottery, navigation, recreation, hydropower); it is a final good when
the resource itself is the good or service to be valued (e.g. drinking water, aesthetic value, waste
dilution). Such final good may be a private good (e.g. drinking water) or a public good.
Economic valuation methods are based upon the categories established here above. Different methods
of economic valuation for non-use values have been used and recommended by various authors. King
and Mazzotta (2000), and Yoshida (2001) suggested different methods for valuating multifunctional
roles of ecosystem services, i.e. the replacement cost method, the travel cost method (TCM), the
hedonic pricing method, and contingent valuation method (CVM). From a different viewpoint, Heal et
al. (2005) recommended four main categories of economic valuation methods for ecosystem goods
and services. The four main categories of methods comprise revealed preference methods (including
the travel cost, hedonic pricing and averting behavior methods), stated preference methods (including
contingent valuation and attribute-based methods), production function method and replacement cost
method. For further details on evaluation methodologies, readers may refer to Agudelo, 2001; Young,
2005; Briscoe, 2005; Griffin, 2006.
In the frame of this sub-study III focus on “inventory of ecosystem services” offered by rice
ecosystems, a brief outlook of possible valuation methodologies is provided, with regards to
ecosystem services in central plain of Thailand. Very few studies have been done so far in that area of
research.
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4.2 Actual and potential valuation studies
4.2.1 Function of provision of food and aquaculture
Rice production is the primary function of paddy cultivation, and the primary user of irrigation water.
Thailand produces rice for itself and for much of the world as about 30% of rice traded globally
comes from Thailand. However, central plain produces mostly lower quality rice, which is mostly
used for domestic and agro-industrial purposes. The economic value of paddy fields is not always
limited to rice production, or to off-season dry land crops, but is also due to the raising of fish and
ducks. Fish living in the paddies eat rice pests (algae and insects), while producing nutrients for the
rice, and protein (or cash) for the farm family. Ducks have a similar function and produce enough
meat to compensate for any fish that they might eat as well (Groenfeldt, 2006).
Food products have market prices, so value may be inferred from it. Residual imputation method is
use, based upon an analysis of the market prices of all inputs and outputs (except water, which market
price is unknown). The value of the final product less the value of all inputs except water (residue)
forms the contribution of water, hence its value. One remaining and biggest difficulty in applying the
RI method is that the amount of water used as per unit of final product must be known, which is not
an easy task in paddy ecosystems. Sometimes, the most relevant base unit for valuation may not be
water but land, depending on which one is the scarcest resource.
4.2.2 Regulation functions
Habitat for wildlife and biodiversity
Contingent valuation methods should be used to assess the stated value people ascribe to the
existence of a given species, or whole ecosystem. The concepts of willingness to pay (WTP, for
protecting the ecosystem or the species) is exploited in surveys. Often, indirect payment scenarios
(such as conservation tax) yield more realistic results than hypothetical direct WTP options.
Function of preserving amenities for recreation and relaxation
The recreational value of a given ecosystem may be equaled to the cost of traveling to this site
incurred by people who wish to visit. Travel cost method reckons all costs incurred by travelling,
leaving expenditures, accommodation, access fee if any, etc., and related to visiting the site and
enjoying its recreational amenities.
Function of flood prevention
Economic evaluation of flood prevention may be based on damage avoidance approach: the value
of the service equals the cost of fixing the damages caused by floods. Another option is alternative
cost approach: the value of the service equals the cost of constructing an alternative infrastructure
(e.g. flood control dam or dyke) which would play the same regulatory role. Basic financial approach
based upon depreciation and discounting principles, maintenance and replacement costs, is to be
followed here (Yoshida, 2001).
Function of conserving water resources
An opportunity cost approach may apply here. Any quantity of water saved for any other use may
be valued based upon the highest price or value of most valuable use (highest opportunity). On that
vein, Yoshida (2001) assessed the value of the function of groundwater conservation in irrigation
systems as the difference in price between irrigation and domestic uses of that groundwater.
Function of prevention of soil erosion
Economic valuation of soil conservation may be based on the volume of soil conserved, i.e. the
difference between the volume of soil lost from cultivated farmland (or good practice) and the volume
of soil lost from abandoned farmland (or bad practice) during a given period. Monetary value then
refers to the cost of constructing a sedimentation dam that would filter and retain a similar volume of
sediments, over a similar timeframe (Yoshida, 2001). Such approach refers to substitute cost
32
method. Alternatively, analysis of land transactions may be performed, comparing the market prices
of preserved land vs. degraded land .
Function of climatic mitigation
The effect of a drop in temperature in the areas surrounding paddy fields during a given period is
given a monetary value, based on the saving of air conditioning costs during the same period
(alternative cost approach) (Yoshida, 2001).
4.2.3 Culture, recreation
Cultural value
Contingent valuation methods should be used to assess the stated value people ascribe to a given
cultural good or service referring to cultural value. The concepts of willingness to pay (WTP, for
benefiting the service) and willingness to accept compensation (WTA, for losing the service) are
exploited in surveys targeting samples including people with and without cultural attraction and
interest in a given resource.
Function of preserving amenities for recreation and relaxation
The recreational value of a given ecosystem may be equaled to the cost of traveling to this site
incurred by people who wish to visit. Travel cost method reckons all costs incurred by travelling,
leaving expenditures, accommodation, access fee if any, etc., and related to visiting the site and
enjoying its recreational amenities.
4.2.4 Support functions
Function of air purification
The volume of air pollutant gases absorbed by agricultural fields is calculated, and given a monetary
value based on the replacement cost of flue gas desulfurization and denitrification (alternative cost
approach). Basic financial approach based upon depreciation and discounting principles,
maintenance and replacement costs of desulfurization and denitrification equipment is to be followed
here (Yoshida, 2001). Similar approach may be used regarding water purification, photosynthesis,
nutrient cycling and the like.
Section 4.2 only provides examples of methods, and the most commonly used ones. Many other
combinations and alternative methodologies may also be used, depending on context and research
limitations (time, budget).
4.3 Summary
Methodologies to assess the economic value of ecosystem services are readily available. They have
not been mobilized in Thailand so far for evaluation of rice ecosystem services.
5 GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and impacts on improving

ecosystem services
5.1 GAP for rice production
The increase in rice production in Thailand over recent years was largely due to the expansion of
cultivated areas, while land productivity remained relatively stable and low (as compared to Vietnam
for instance, as the other main rice exporter). Therefore, increasing land productivity is one of the
main objectives of the sector.
For that aim, Thailand has adopted the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) framework and has
developed its own Thai-GAP, promoted by the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand’s Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives. The establishment of standards is important to significantly promote
and encourage the quality and safety development of rice production in order to be accepted for both
33
domestic and international trade sectors. This entails standards in production and post-production
which consider both local and global effects of rice production.
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standard has established standard Good
Agricultural Practices for cropping. This standard serves as a guideline to farmers in their rice
cultivation and postharvest practices, and also applies as criteria to certify production process at farm
level for safety and promoting rice exportation.
Thailand’s climate change action plan (Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, 2000) includes
specific measures in order to reduce GHG emissions from rice fields: low-methane rice cultivars,
direct seeding, soil aeration in conjunction with water management, organic matter and fertilizer
management, methane production inhibitors. Yet, the large diversity of cropping systems and water
management practices, and prevailing socioeconomic constraints faced by farmers hampers concrete
implementation of GAP.
As seen in figure 14 here below, different hydrological tools can be used to develop Good
Agricultural Practices. Those hydrological tools are listed as (Satya Priya and Shibasaki, R. (2001)):
(i) CREAMS and GLEAMS; (ii) AGNPS; (iii) ANSWERS; (iv) SWRRB; (v) DSSAT and (vi) EPIC.
CREAMS and GLEAMS are field scale continuous models. They do not possess a robust crop growth
model (Ramanarayam 1994; Satya Priya and Shibasaki, R. (2001)). SWRRB and EPIC are almost
synonymous, except for the fact that SWRRB is a basin scale simulation model. EPIC (Williams and
Sharpley, 1989) has improved residue-handling capabilities over SWRRB, and better nutrient cycling.
To further narrow down the yield gaps, several programs have also been set up in Thailand rice sector
over past two decades, i.e. Rice Varietal Improvement Programme, Seed Production and Seed
Exchange Programme, Production Technology Improvement Programme, Rainfed Rice Improvement
Programme, Upland Rice Production Improvement Programme, Land Consolidation, Dike and Ditch
Construction Programme and Irrigation Pumps for Rice Cultivation Programme.
34
Grain Seed Good quality seeds certified from Seed agency, or Gov. Department
Tools use for Soil Sampling
Management
Milling Land Preparation Tillage practices mechanization
practices

EPIC
Water Management Efficient water use
AGNPS
Erosion Use irrigation method
ANSWERS
Hydrology Water quality sampling
SWAT
Nutrient Management Soil characteristic
DSSAT
Storage Recommended fertilizer rate
SWRRB
Pest Management Proper use of pesticides
CREAMS
Use of dryer Drying
35
GLEAMS
Conventional drying
Harvesting

Harvesting time, (according season) Machinery use
Figure 14: GAP framework and Management tools

Table 8. Identification of GAP for rice and practices follows for the rice cultivation at Central Plain of
Thailand (Base on Ayutthaya case study) and relevant ecosystem services.
Practices
Water Sources About 70% of farmers use water for rice farming from surface water
sources like small canal and swamp.

About 30% of farmers use water for rice farming from irrigation water

source. Farmers have to pay money for government based on the
farming area.
Water quality testing Only few farmers, new generation farmers (and educated) send water
samples to the Irrigation Office to check water quality (water
contaminant). While, a majority of farmers don’t send the water sample
to check contamination; even government is doing free for them
Field, Soil sampling to check hazardous It is the same as water quality testing
contamination (before cultivation)
Pesticide use
Insecticide
Herbicides
1. Do farmer use application rate as per Yes, most of farmers follow the application rate as per labeled on bottle
labeled on bottle?
2. Do farmer use any protection while Yes, most of farmers hire the labour to spray chemical pesticide in their
application pesticide (mask, clothes)? farms. Regarding the labour who is spraying chemical pesticide, they
wear proper mask and clothes as they know how to protect themselves

when they use chemical pesticide.

3. Pesticide application done at morning or Most of farmers prefer to spray chemical pesticide in the morning as

evening? there is no high wind speed that affect to nearby environment including
people who stay in this area and also it is not hot in the morning for
farmers who spray chemical pesticide.

4. Do they keep pesticides at proper place They keep pesticides in the proper place. Most of them keep pesticides in

(store room)? store room which is separated from the place to sleep or cook food.
Seed use
1. Do farmer use qualified seed from any A majority of farmers choose rice variety to plant in farm by themselves
agency or government seed department? by considering following factors; high yield, strong stem, fine seed, insect
and disease resistance. While some (few number) of farmers specifically

educated farmers prefer to follow Government recommendation through

various departments such as Ayutthaya Rice Research Center and
Ayutthaya Provincial Agricultural Extension Office.

2. Do farmer use seed produced from his A majority of farmers buy seed from agricultural shops in local market.

own farm? While, only few of farmer produce own seed.
Rice planting Rice species planted during dry season in Ayutthaya are shown below:
Variety: Suphanburi 1
Suphanburi 3
RD 31
Phitsanulok 2

36
Rice species planted during dry season in Ayutthaya are shown below:
Ayutthaya 1
Prachinburi 1
Prachinburi 2
Laung Patiew
Khao Dawk Mali 105

Cropping calendar: Wet‐season rice
June: land preparation including tillage
July: sowing rice seed
October: generating ear of rice
December or January: cultivating rice

Dry‐season rice (taking around 105‐110 days to get yield)
January or February: land preparation including
tillage and sowing rice seed
March or April: generating ear of rice
April or May: cultivating rice

Seed rate
1. 5 to 7 kg per rai for transplanting. 5‐7 kg. per rai

2. 10 to 20 kg per rai for wet seeded. 20 kg. per rai

3. 10 to 20 kg per rai for dry seeded. 20‐25 kg. per rai
Fertilizer application
1. Do farmer use organic fertilizer? Yes, some of farmers who understand the benefit of organic fertilizer.
However, they still use chemical fertilizer along with organic fertilizer
because in short term chemical fertilizer can provide all necessary

nutrients rice need while organic fertilizer cannot cover all kinds and
amount of nutrients required for rice plantation.

2. Do farmer use fertilizer application based Yes
on soil sampling?

3. Do they follow following application
rate? Wet season rice
Soil Application Fertilizer • 16‐20‐0 ( 20‐25 kg/rai)

rate, kg/rai Dry season rice
Clay 20‐25 16‐20‐0/ • 16‐20‐0 (25‐30 kg/rai)
18‐22‐0/ Wet season rice
20‐20‐0 • Urea (10‐15 kg/rai)
Urea Dry season rice
• Urea (20‐25 kg/rai)
37

5‐10 Top
dressing
application
Or
10‐20 Top Sulphate
dressing
application or ammonium
sulphate

Do farmer water management practices? Farmers excavate small canal (water flow channel) in their rice fields so
as to have enough water for rice. Also, they have good system of water

drainage to let water in and out of their rice fields.

Seedling stage
Keeping water depth in the field?
- 5‐10 cm. ( the water level is half of seedling stem )
Tillering stage
- 10‐15 cm.
Flowering stage
- 10‐15 cm.
Around one to two weeks before harvesting
- 0 cm. (the water is released out of rice field)

Harvesting
Do farmer do harvesting 25 to 35 days after Around 30 days
flowering?

Is there harvesting period different for dry and wet It is not different for dry and wet season.
season and what it is?

Do farmer use combine harvester? Yes.
What kind of storage use to store rice? Generally, most of farmers do not have rice storage as there are middle
men going to their farms directly to buy rice after harvesting. However,
Is it safety from insects or any contamination?
some of farmers keep small amount of unmilled rice for themselves in
proper places which are far from contamination.

38
6 Policy and Stakeholders
In general, multifunctional roles are formed by the external economies of agriculture. They have the
characteristics of public goods. However, the general public that benefits from these multifunctional
roles does not place a proper value on them. If these functions are not traded in the market, policy
intervention may be required in order to maintain them (Dong-Kyun, 2002). It cannot be claimed that
rice paddy farming is always friendly to the environment. On the contrary, the agricultural chemicals
used can adversely affect the environment. However, these negative effects can be reduced by
following Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA). Examples are organic farming, integrated pest
management and integrated nutrition management systems. Some indirect benefits, such as flood
control and water resource management, are not directly linked with rice production itself. Those
outputs can be maintained if paddy fields are preserved, regardless of whether rice is being grown.
The first step in designing policies to support the multiple functions of agriculture is to establish the
policy intent to do so. This step implies a policy debate not only within the government, but within the
larger civil society, as to the desirable role of agriculture within that society (Groenfeldt, 2006).
The multifunctionality concept serves as a guide to agricultural policies that are in the long-term
interest of society. Basically the concept offers a broader context, besides economic profitability or
crop productivity, for selecting among agricultural options. When the logic is followed, the result is
likely to be a more eco-oriented agriculture that has long-term sustainability, and supports the social
and cultural values of society (Groenfeldt, 2006).
Once the policy decision is taken to promote multiple functions of agriculture, what practical
measures can accomplish this? Conventional market mechanisms are not adequate. In order to support
the multifunctional services of agriculture, either the markets need to change, or governments must
intervene. Interventions are needed at four basic levels (Groenfeldt, 2006):
1. Support to Individual Farmers: Incentives can be directed to farmers to pursue certain types of
production regimes that will enhance multifunctional objectives. In Japan and Korea, farmers receive
direct payments to maintain paddy terraces in mountainous areas, where flood control is of particular
concern.
2. Support to Rural Communities: Regional plans promoting multifunctional agriculture blend
participatory process of community involvement with outcomes that create rural amenities as well as
jobs.
3. Support to Rural Area: Conventional rural development has emphasized a range of infrastructure
(roads, markets, communications, storage facilities, etc.) and services (water supply, schools, medical
clinics) aimed at agricultural growth and stable populations. The education system is perhaps the most
critical component of the rural amenities. Providing local students the knowledge and skills needed
for multifunctional agriculture requires more practical curricula and perhaps novel teaching methods.
4. Support to the Agriculture Sector: Conventional mono-functional agriculture is supported by a vast
research and extension network that would need to be reformed to meet the needs of ecologically-
oriented agriculture. Decentralized, location-specific, farmer-led research would become relatively
more important for multifunctional approaches.
Rice cultivation is not related to only farmers but also other stakeholders from different groups. Those
different groups are from various agencies, such as government, private sector, NGOs etc.
Stakeholders from mentioned groups or agencies are contributing their work direct or indirect to the
rice ecosystem through GAP. List of stakeholders who involves in rice ecosystem is mentioned as
below.
Table 9 lists the different stakeholders concerned with ecosystem services and related issues in central
plain of Thailand.
39
Table 9. Stakeholders related to GAP, ecosystem services and related issues in central plain
of Thailand
Sr. No. Stakeholders Function or contribution to improve rice ecosystem
1 Producers
i. Farmers Follow the agricultural practices recommended
by Government or GAP
ii. Labour Follow the agricultural practices recommended
by Government or GAP

if he or she is farmer then do same as (i) but if he or she is business man
iii. Land Owner (may be farmer or business then, he or she should give land in cheaper rate to the farmers who
man) follow GAP for the cultivation
Government should give some incentives (e.g. lower down tax) and
support to land owner (e.g. free organic fertilizers).

iv. Farmers' Group Hub of knowledge/sharing ideas
understanding the cultivation practices in terms of externalities to the
environment specifically adjacent area
v. Learning Center Basic knowledge (e.g. literacy), e‐Learning center

2 Government Agencies
i. Local Administration Cooperation between local government and farmers
ii. Cooperatives Support (e.g. loans, buying rice etc.)
iii. Provincial Rice Research Center Providing knowledge (e.g. technology)
iv. Royal Irrigation Department improvement in rice varieties
Regional Irrigation Office Water management (e.g. regulation)
Water User Group

v. Land Development Department Soil suitability, recommendation on fertilizer use and organic fertilizers

vi. Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment Environmental policies and research

3 NGO and Institutes
i. I‐NGOs Research
IRRI Support (e.g. New technologies, rice varieties)
UNEP Coordination among different level stakeholders
Green Peace
ii. Local NGOs
iii. Institutes and Universities

4 Private sectors/agencies
Buying rice based on cultivation practices (e.g. organice rice getting higher
i. Buyer Group price than non organic rice)

ii. Chemical Agencies Training to the farmers for how to use chemicals properly
40
7 Conclusion, recommendations
7.1 Conclusions
This short study includes only partial results, and therefore demands follow-up research for
confirmation and proper documentation and evidence (see recommendations section). However, a
number of conclusions may be drawn.
Lowland paddy rice ecosystems in central plain of Thailand offer many ecosystem goods and services
and include functions and values related to regulation, support, culture, and contribution to the
economy. However, being mostly irrigated, and designed and operated for intensive production
towards export and agro-industry sectors, some functions have limited positive effects (support), and
some negative externalities are significant (GHG emissions and high contribution to climate change as
the main negative externality of paddy rice). Among ecosystem services, regulation functions seems
to be the most important, as paddy rice ecosystems contribute significantly to water resource
management and conservation, erosion control, preservation of biodiversity and aquatic habitats, and,
more importantly in central plains, flood mitigation and prevention. Paddy rice systems also
contribute to the economy (local and national), to development, and bear very significant cultural
value all over South East Asia. In terms of support functions, paddy fields contribute to nutrient
cycling, water purification (denitrification), air purification, photosynthesis.
The case study in Ayutthaya Province reveals that the concept of ecosystem services is widely
unknown among all stakeholders in the rice production sector. Further, few research have been carried
out, and few information are actually available on ecosystem services in the area. Discussions with
local experts show that some ecosystem functions and services are fulfilled by paddy rice fields, with
regards to culture, provision of goods, and contribution to the economy. However, intensification of
cropping systems and the intensive use of pesticides hinders most possibilities on support and
regulation. Local stakeholders, officials, most public and private sector agents, and the general public
seem to largely ignore both the concept of ecosystem services, and the implications thereof. More
specifically, farmers as primary producers and custodians of such goods are not aware of the role they
play and that benefits the whole society. There are two notable exceptions to this general lack of
awareness: the role played by paddy fields in flood mitigation and in wildlife conservation. Both are
generally known. Also, the Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture has
develop GAP recommendations in order to sustain and enhance ecosystem services, especially those
related to environmental conservation, soil quality, sustainable use of pesticides and the like. Concrete
application and impact of GAP recommendations remain few at this point in time.
Furthermore, the economic values of the different rice ecosystems services and goods have not been
assessed in Thailand, while methodologies do exist. No compensation, incentive or payment
mechanism related to ecosystem services has been developed so far in Thailand. As said, the only
measure in place is actually a set of recommendations based on Good Agricultural Practices.
7.2 Recommendations
In view of such results, two sets of recommendations may be suggested, one for further research, the
other towards role-players for implementation.
7.2.1 Research
More research should be carried out, investigating in deeper details the different ecosystem services,
goods and amenities offered by paddy rice ecosystems in Central Plain. This specifically concerns
certain biophysical and ecological processes that are poorly documented at this stage:
- hydrology (e.g. groundwater recharge, flood protection, erosion control),
- water and soil chemistry (nutrient balance and cycling, water filtration and purification),
- ecology (effects of pesticides on fauna and flora, biodiversity indicators).
41
The outcomes of such background research would be to better define the quantity and quality of
ecosystems services provided, to back up further investigations on their economic value (see below).
Research should also be carried out in economics, first assessing the value of all identified
ecosystems goods and services, second investigating and testing economic instruments towards
sustainability of such provision, based upon previous economic evaluation (e.g. payment for
ecosystem services, incentives).
7.2.2 Implementation
Research agencies should team up with public and private interested stakeholders in order to redress
the observed lack of knowledge and awareness on ecosystem services in central plain of Thailand,
then to implement some specific activities.
First, communication and information has to take place, towards the general public, and more
specific stakeholders in rice ecosystems and rice supply chain. Second, it is suggested that some pilot
projects are set up, based upon existing farmer groups and/or delineated irrigation systems in order to
experiment mechanisms potentially leading to sustainable provision of ecosystem services: farmer
certification mechanisms, area certification mechanisms (geographic indications of quality), labeling
of products (e.g organic, sustainable pesticide use, sustainable chemical use, GAP-based). Such pilot
projects could ultimately be used to experiment PES mechanisms.
42
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44
Appendix 1: Rice–fish and riceduck ecosystems
Combined and purposive production of rice and fish, or rice and duck in paddy fields may lead to
increased provision of ecosystem services, as indicated by literature, as reported here after.
Figure A1.1: Areas with rice fish culture reported, (Halwart M. and Gupta M., 2004)
Figure A1.2: Rice – fish culture and rice ecosystem
45
Integrated rice-fish farming is believed to have been practiced for more than 200 years in Thailand,
particularly in the Northeast where it was dependent upon capturing wild fish for stocking the rice
fields. It was later promoted by the Department of Fisheries (DOF) and expanded into the Central
Plains. However, during the 1970s, Thailand, like the rest of Asia, introduced the HYVs of rice and
with it the increased use of chemical pesticides. This resulted in the near collapse of rice-fish farming
in the Central Plains as farmers either separated their rice and fish operations or stopped growing fish
altogether. Fedoruk and Leelapatra (1992) attributed the recovery to more discriminate use of HYV;
the emergence of pesticides that when properly applied are not toxic to fish; the growing perception of
the economic benefits of rice-fish farming, and its promotion in special projects assisting
disadvantaged farmers, among other factors. The increasing frequency of directly broadcasting rice
seeds and using machines for field preparation are signs of the growing labor shortage. The shortage
may favor the development of more easily managed pond culture rather than the more laborious rice-
fish system. On the other hand, adoption of rice-fish systems in the Northeast Region may be biased
towards those who are better off and have access to labor and other resources (Halwart M. and Gupta
M., 2004).
Table A1.1: Rice yield with fish and without fish in Thailand (fish e.g. Trichogaster sp. (Snakeskin
gourami) and Clarias batrachus)
Rice Yield (kg∙ha‐1) Reference
System/Location/Year With fish W/out fish More (Less)
ns, Dom Noi, wet 1985 1890 1790 100 Thongpan et al. 1992
ns, Khoo Khad, wet 1985 1630 1510 120
ns, Amnart Charoen 1987 2537 2014 523
ns, Kheuang Nai 1987 2574 2372 202
ns, Det Udom 1987 2651 2427 224
Policy to follow rice fish culture, since IPM is now an accepted approach to pest control this is a
logical entry point for raising fish in rice fields. However, suitable curricula for the Farmer Field
Schools still need to be developed.
Figure A1.3: Rice fish farming, farm layout

(Halwart M. and Gupta M., 2004)
46
Previous studies related rice fish ecosystem:
Rice-Fish Culture: In the rice fish culture cultivation practice additional nutrients are supplied by fish
in the form of faces excretion and decomposition of dead fish. Nutrients supply to crops when they
swims, released fixed nutrients. Recycling of nutrients is when fish graze on photosynthesis. But this
culture may affect phosphors cycle.
Hazrat Ali M. et al (2005), study was undertaken at the experimental farm of Philippine Rice
Research Institute, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz Nueva Ecija, Philippines to determine the effect
of various level of water depth on rice growth under rice-fish culture in wetland rice ecosystems. The
treatment with rice-fish at 16-20 cm water depth produced significantly the tallest plants whereas the
treatments with rice-fish at 5 -10 cm and 11-15 cm water depth and the control produced the shorter
plants. The leaf area was increased progressively with plant age reaching its maximum value at 72
days after transplanting (DAT) and beyond 72 DAT leaf area declined because of leaf senescence.
The values of LAI (Leaf area index) were maximum at 72 DAT for all the treatments except the
treatment of rice + fish with 21-25 cm water depth and the control. The values of DM (Dry matter)
were statistically similar among the treatments throughout the growing period but at harvest,
consistently higher dry matter production was observed for the treatment of rice + fish with 11-15 cm
water depth. This was lower in the treatment of rice + fish with 16-20 cm and the control. Plant
population at 17 DAT differed significantly among the treatments possibly due to uneven distribution
of seedlings at planting and also damaged by Golden nails. Maximum tiller production was observed
at 45 DAT for all the treatments and the highest number of productive tillers per hill as well as in unit
area was obtained from the treatment with water depth of 16-20 cm followed by 21-25 cm. Rice
plants were found lodged which was observed more importantly when they were grown beyond 15 cm
of water depth
Teo S. S., (2006) has defined the concept of rice–fish farming was employed to evaluate five species
of fish for biological control of golden apple snail in rice. Aquaria trials were initially used to observe
the predation potential of the individual fish species, followed by replicated field trials. In the aquaria
studies all the fish species preyed upon the hatchlings of the golden apple snail, but at the field level
only common carp and African catfish consumed snails significantly more than the other species.
Common carp, which attained a recovery rate of 90%, was the only fish species suitable for biological
control of snail in rice. African catfish was not adaptable to the rice field conditions; the fish suffered a
low recovery rate of 17% even when the plots were covered with nets to protect the fish from natural
predators. The density of common carp recommended for biological control of snail in rice was 2041
fish/ha. However, it was essential to set up a pond refuge to improve survival rate and to enhance fish
production. The study revealed that under direct seeding planting method, the increase in plant density
restricted the foraging activities of the fish. Consequently, the number of snail sampled in direct
seeded plots was significantly greater than in transplanted plots. Throughout the studies, the fish
neither caused a significant increase in rice yields nor a reduction in stem borer, case worm and stink
bug infestations. Common carp was however, an effective predator of the golden apple snail in rice.
Rice-Fish culture in China, Weimin M. (2009):

Rice field-fish culture, also popularly referred to as rice cum fish culture, is a traditional integrated
fish-rice production system. The earliest practices can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago.
China is the largest producer of fish and rice in the world. Rice-fish culture has achieved significant
development in China in the past three decades, in spite of the major socioeconomic changes that have
occurred during this period. There are some 1.55 million ha of rice-fish culture in China now, which
produces approximately 1.16 million tons of fish products (2007), in addition to about 11 million tons
of high quality rice. Fish production from rice–fish culture has increased by 13-fold during the last
two decades in China. Rice-fish culture is now one of the most important aquaculture systems in
47
China. While making significant contribution to rural livelihood and food security, development of
rice-fish culture is an important approach for environment friendly holistic rural development, and
epitomizes an ecosystems approach to aquaculture. Rice-fish culture in China utilizes a range of
production systems and practices, but all contribute to eco-environmental benefits and sustainable
development. Many factors have contributed to these developments, but equally and still, there are
challenges that need to be addressed for up-scaling these production systems and practices. It is
estimated that the area under rice cultivation in Asia approximates 140.3 million ha, accounting for
89.4% of the world total. The potential for development of rice-fish culture is very high in the region.
The successful experiences and lessons of rice-fish culture development drawn from China can be a
good reference for sustainable rice-fish culture development in the region as well as other parts of the
world, thereby contributing further to food security and poverty alleviation.
Rice–duck ecosystems:
Teo S. S. (2001) investigated the potential of ducks for the control of the golden apple snail in
irrigated rice. The varieties of duck recommended for the biological control of snail in decreasing
preference were William Siam > Taiwan > Mallard> Peking> Muscovy. Cherry Valley, a variety with
a bigger body size was not suitable for snail control because of its poor adaptation to rice field
conditions. A density of 5-10 ducks ha-1 in continuous grazing for a period of 1-2 months significantly
reduced the pest density from 5 snails m-2 to less than 1 snail m-2. This density of ducks was
recommended for biological control of snails in rice. Timely release of ducks was crucial as they
damaged young rice seedlings. In transplanted rice, it was appropriate to release the ducks when the
seedlings were 4 weeks old. For direct seeded rice, a longer waiting period of 6 weeks was necessary.
Numerically, ducks preyed on more snails in transplanted than in direct seeded rice, but the difference
was not statistically significant. The increase in plant density under direct seeding probably reduced
the browsing efficiency of the ducks. This difference would be expected to diminish under prolonged
grazing. It is suggested that ducks were an effective biological control agent against the golden apple
snail.
48
Appendix 2: Insects and pests found in rice farm (photos)
Rice thrips (Stenchaetohrips biformis) Rice whorl maggot (Hydrellia spp.)
Stink bug (Tetroda denticulifera) Rice

armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia)
Rice stems borers, SB

Yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga)
Dark-headed stem borer (Chilo
polychrysus)
Pink stem borer (Sessamia inferens) Striped

stem borer (Chilo suppressalis)
49
Brown planthopper, BPH (Nilaparvata lugens) Rice gall midge, RGM (Orseolia
oryzae)
Green rice leafhopper

(Nephotettix virescens)
Rice black bug Malayan black bug

Rice leaffolder, LF
(Scotinophara coarctata) (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis)

Rice caseworm
(Nymphula depunctalis
Guenee) Rice hispa (Dicladispa armigera)

Scarab Beetle (Alissonotum cribratellum)
Rice bug, stink bug (Leptocorisa
acuta)
50
Insects and pests in
stored rice
Angoumois grain moth
(Sitotroga cerealella) Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
Lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica) Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
Siamese grain beetle (Lophocateres pusillus)
51
Animal and insects
1. Spoted munia (Lochura punctulata)
2. Ricefield crab (Esanthelphusa spp.)
3. Roof rat, ship rat (Rattus rattus)
4. Ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer)
5. Great bandicoot (Bandicota indica)
6. Lesser bandicoot (Bandicota savilei)
7. Golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
52
Appendix 3: Rice varieties in Thailand
Rice varieties recommended by Bureau of Rice Research and Development for rice
farmers in Thailand
Since 1999, Rice Research Institute has continued improving rice varieties in order to increase rice
yield and have good quality of rice seed which can resist disease and pest as well as can easily adjust
to different environments. Rice Research Institute makes a recommendation of rice varieties which
are from both local rice species and from breeding rice varieties for farmers to plant in their farms.
The recommendation of rice varieties can be divided into 3 categories based on ecosystem
characteristics in each area consisting of irrigated rice farming, rainfed rice farming and floating
rice farming. The rice varieties in each category is shown below (Bureau of Rice Research and
Development, 2010).
1) Rice varieties recommended for irrigated rice farming area
Rice Varieties Type Period Yield Region

(kg/rai)
RD 7 Rice 125 days 672 All regions which are in irrigated
areas or where there is good water
management practice

RD 10 Sticky Rice 130 days 660 North and Northeast in irrigated rice
farming area

RD 23 Rice 125 days 800 All regions which are in irrigated
areas or where there is good water
management practice

Suphanburi 60 Rice 120‐122 days 700 Central, West and East in irrigated
areas

Suphanburi 90 Rice 120 days 600 Central specifically the area where
there is the spread of brown plant
hopper, ragged stunt disease, yellow
orange leaf disease and rice blast
disease

Chainat 1 Rice 121‐130 days (if 740 Central and lower part of North
planted in dry season) specifically the area where there is
the spread of brown plant hopper,
119 days (if planted in ragged stunt disease and rice blast
rainy season) disease

Phrae 1 Sticky Rice 130 days 685 Northeast and upper part of North
specifically the area where there is
the spread of brown plant hopper,
ragged stunt disease and rice blast
disease in the area where RD 10 rice
species is planted

Suphanburi 1 Rice 120 days 806 Central in irrigated rice farming area.
This rice species should be planted
along with Suphanburi 90 rice species
53
for solving the problem of brown
plant hopper spread

Suphanburi 2 Rice 115 days 700 Central, East and West in irrigated
rice farming area

Khao Jow Hawm Rice 118 days (if planted in 591 (in dry season Central in irrigated rice farming area
Khlong Luang 1 dry season rice) rice)

125 days (if planted in
wet season rice)
650 (in wet
season rice)

Khao Jow Hawm Rice 120 days 582 (in dry season Suphanburi, Angthong, Kanchanaburi
Suphanburi rice) and nearby provinces

673 (in dry season
rice)

Pathumthani 1 Rice 104‐126 days 650‐774 Central in irrigated rice farming area

Sakonnakhon Rice 128 days 467 Northeast in highland area or
irrigated rice farming area

Surin 1 Rice 138 days 620 Northeast in rainfed rice farming
area as well as irrigated rice farming
area

2) Rice varieties recommended for rainfed rice farming area
Rice Varieties Type Date of harvesting Yield Region

(kg/rai)
Khao Dawk Mali 105 Rice 20 Nov 363 All regions but Northeast is the
significant source in terms of both
quality and quantity

RD 6 Sticky Rice 21 Nov 666 North and Northeast

Niaw Ubon 1 Sticky Rice 20 Nov 660 Northeast (specifically in the area
which has water
level in the paddy field not over 80
cm)

Niaw Ubon 2 Sticky Rice 15 Nov 463 Northeast (specifically in highland
area)

Leuang Pratew 123 Rice 19 Dec 414 Central in lowland rice system

Nam Sa‐gui 19 Rice 4 Nov 499 Northeast in lowland rice system

Phitsanulok 60‐1 Rice 10 Dec 550 Upper part of Central in rainfed rice
farming area which has water level in
the paddy field not over 75 cm
specifically the area where there is
the spread of rice gall midge
54

Chumphae 60 Rice 13 Feb 467 Northeast in rainfed lowland area

Phitsanulok 1 Rice 25 Nov 579 Central and Lower part of North in
rainfed rice farming area

RD 15 Rice 10 Nov 560 Northeast specifically in dry area

Khao Tah Haeng 17 Rice 20 Dec 473 Central in lowland rice system

RD 27 Rice 10 Dec 600 Central in lowland rice system
Pathumthani 60 Rice 25 Nov 517 Central in lowland rice system

3) Rice varieties recommended for floating rice farming area
Pin Gaew 56 Rice 20 Dec 362 Central in floating rice system

Leb Meu Nahng 111 Rice 19 Dec 328 Central in floating rice system

Hantra 60 Rice 25 Dec 425 Central in lowland area which has
water level in the paddy field not
over 100 cm

Plai Ngahm Rice 25 Dec 380 Central and Lower part of North in
Prachinburi lowland area which has water level in
the paddy field over 100 cm

Prachinburi 1 Rice 25 Nov 450 Central, East and lower part of North
in lowland area which has water level
in the paddy field not over 100 cm

Prachinburi 2 Rice 18‐25 Dec 846 (if planted in Central and East in lowland area
the paddy field which has water level in the paddy
with 25 cm of field not over 100 cm
water level)

590 (if planted in
the paddy field
with 100 cm of
water level)

55
Appendix 3: Values of ecosystem services
(Source: Yoshida, 2001)
56
Appendix 4: Use of aquatic organisms from rice fields
Indicative list of uses of various aquatic organisms from rice fields (Halwart, M. 2006)
The cultivation of most rice crops in irrigated, rainfed and deepwater systems offers a suitable
environment for fish and other aquatic organisms. Wild and gathered foods, from the aquatic habitat,
provide important diversity, nutrition and food security as food resources from ricefield environments
supply essential nutrients that are not adequately found in the diet.
57
Sub study 4: Actor analysis and identifications of levers
Compiled by Kukiat Soitong and M. Gummert
1. Introduction........................................................................................................... 1
2. The rice value chain ............................................................................................. 2
2.1. Competitive Forces in the Industry .............................................................................2
2.2. Value chain structure ...................................................................................................3
2.3. Producers .....................................................................................................................4
2.4. Postharvest processing.................................................................................................7
2.5. Marketing and consumption ........................................................................................8
2.6. Inputs and input suppliers..........................................................................................10
2.7. Support service providers ..........................................................................................10
2.8. Research ....................................................................................................................11
2.9. Policy.........................................................................................................................12
2.10. Other stakeholders .....................................................................................................14
2.11. Value chain dynamics: Prices, profits and regulations..............................................16
3. Policy context ..................................................................................................... 17
3.1. Policies regulating rice production ............................................................................17
3.2. Thai Rice Strategy 2007-2011...................................................................................18
4. Stakeholder assessment and network mapping ................................................. 20
5. Opportunities / levers.......................................................................................... 22
6. Recommendations.............................................................................................. 24
7. References ......................................................................................................... 24
1. Introduction
This study was conducted within the context of the scoping study Resource efficiency and
ecosystems services in rice production in Thailand’s central plain: Baseline research. The
study is a follow-up activity to the UNEP Expert roundtable on improving resource efficiency
in Thai rice production, held at UNEP-ROAP, Bangkok, on 1-2 February 2010. As an
outcome of the UNEP meeting, it was suggested to conduct a pre-pilot desk survey to set a
baseline and determine whether there is sufficient scope for improvements of resource
efficiencies in water and nutrients in rice agriculture in the Central Plains of Thailand. In
addition, this survey should also assess losses and inefficiencies in rice postproduction,
compile an inventory of ecosystem services in the Central plain rice production and analyze
actors and their relationships from production to export. This report is one of background
papers produced in this study will provide the basis for further decisions by UNEP and its
partners on the next steps for the “Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply
chains” project.
A multi stakeholder workshop was conducted at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok from 17-18
June 2010 to consult with key representatives from the Thai rice value chain stakeholders and
Thailand: Resource efficiency and ecosystem services, Sub study 4, Actor Analysis Page 2 of 25
collect input for this report. The workshop is documented in the Workshop report
“Stakeholder workshop for resource efficiency and ecosystems services in the rice value chain
in Thailand’s central plain”.
2. The rice value chain

Several authors describe the rice value chain or parts of it. The schematic diagram in Figure 1,
which was derived from data from the Ministry of Commerce and supplemented by
information gathered during the multi stakeholder workshop, will be used for this and the
other sub studies.

Figure 1: Flows of Goods and Services in Thai Rice Industry (Source: Adapted from Ministry of
Commerce, 2009; Multi stakeholder workshop)
2.1. Competitive Forces in the Industry

Another approach is to define the Thai rice industry as ranging from rice farmers to rice
millers (Figure 2). New entrants, therefore, are those businesses or individuals entering these
sub-segments. Suppliers comprise the farm inputs markets, covering land, labour, capital in
terms of equipment, fertilizer, chemicals, fuels, and water, and the respective financing.
Buyers shall represent all entities which purchase rice from rice mills. Substitutes, defined as
M.Gummert SS4_Value chain actors, September 14, final.doc

products which fulfil the same purpose as the industry’s product, shall be broadly defined as
agricultural food commodities.
Figure 2 The Competitive Forces in the Thai Rice Industry. Source: OAE , 2005
2.2. Value chain structure

The rice value chain in this report includes production input suppliers, farmers as producers,
the postharvest industry consisting of processors (millers, rice processors), the whole
marketing and trade network for both, domestic consumption and export.
The Chain of Production
The generic production of milled rice takes place in the stages of rice farming and rice milling.
Sub-steps within rice farming comprise land preparation, seeding, and weed control, which are
followed by harvesting and post-harvest processes including threshing, drying, and cleaning of
the harvested paddy and final delivery to the rice mill. Major sub-steps in rice milling include
the cleaning of the paddy rice, husking polishing, separating and mixing, and packing. In
addition to these basic stages of production, input sourcing and milled rice marketing are to be
included as essential processes at the supply and demand side, respectively.
Rice farming inputs include suitable and ideally irrigated farmland, labour that does not
necessarily need to be educated, fixed capital such as (motor) ploughs and harvesters, and
circulating capital such as seeds, fertilizers, chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides),
fuels, and water.
Rice marketing comprises the delivery of milled rice to inter-mediate buyers and final
consumers of rice, whereby consumers generally include the domestic and the export market.

Land is primarily in possession of the farmers themselves, labour is most frequently part of the
household or temporarily hired workforce, whereby the latter often takes the form of teams
specializing in one certain task, for example harvesting.
Basic machinery, which comprises small tractors and engines, is typically owned by every
household and sourced domestically, while more advanced technologies such as combined
harvesters are additionally sourced from developed countries such as Japan and Germany
(Poapongsakorn, 2006, p. 35).
Seeds are used from former harvests, or may originate from public institutions, cooperatives,
private firms or other farms. Chemical fertilizers stem from the world market, while organic
fertilizer may be produced domestically. Lastly, water is taken from canals or is provided by
rainfall.
Financing of inputs and machinery is, to larger farms, provided by commercial banks, and, to
small farms, by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), agricultural
cooperatives, and non-formal community financial institutions such as savings groups. The
BAAC serves with more than 4.3 million farm house-holds the largest part of farmers in
Thailand, followed by agricultural cooperatives (BAAC, 2008, p. 175).
When selling their paddy rice, farmers have several channels to choose from. These channels
constitute the purchase by agricultural cooperatives (5% of total volume), rice millers’
subcontractors (10%), government purchases (20%), direct sales to the rice mills (30%), and
the sale through brokers (35%). Public and private wholesale markets for paddy rice, referred
to as central markets, constitute facilitating institutions for paddy marketing and are typically
accessed by farmers on the supply side and subcontractors, brokers, and millers on the demand
side. Paddy marketing in Thailand takes solely place in the domestic market. At the milling
level, marketable output extends beyond milled rice.
Milled rice is mainly marketed through three channels. Regarding white rice, the largest share
(65%) is sold through brokers, while mills also sell directly to wholesalers (25%) and
exporters (10%). Of the rice sold to brokers, 46% are sold to wholesalers and 54% to
exporters. However, there are also cases in which mills directly export their rice, sell to
retailers (Wiboonpongse & Sri-boonchitta, 2004, pp. 31-32), or even market directly to the
consumer (Nakada, 1996, p. pp. 611-616). Wholesalers distribute their rice through retailers,
but also to industrial buyers. In summary, the domestic market absorbs approximately 55% of
produced rice, the remainder being exported.
The Thai rice industry flow of goods can be illustrated as in Figure 1. The illustration
implicitly assumes that the rice industry is merely concerned with paddy rice as intermediate
and milled rice as final product. This, as a result, excludes by-products such as rice bran and
further processed products such as rice flour or rice vermicelli from the industry definition.
For simplification, consumers, industrial rice buyers, and export markets have been treated as
final steps in the chain since subsequent steps are either repetitive or depart from the industry
product.
2.3. Producers
Producers in this section include the rice farmers, farmers associations and in a wider sense
also the landless labourers and the land owners. Table 1 gives an overview and also rates

Table 1: Overview on main producers, producers groups and producers organizations (Source:
Stakeholder workshop and literature)
Assessment from Multi-stakeholder workshop
Actor Description / Interest / Function
Stake 1 Leverage 2 Influence 3 Attitude 4
Production for own consumption and to
Individual farmers generate income + 3 2 3
Maximize return, minimize cost
Key farmers including community Profit, high price of production, low
+ 2 2 2
leaders cost of input/producer
Land owners Generate profit from land leasing fees 1 3 2
Low interest rate/Paddy price
Cooperatives negotiation, credit and loans, + 2 3 3
membership services, input supply
Profit, high price of production, low
Farmer group (FG), includes: cost of input/producer group to
2 3 2
community rice center negotiate price, farmer-to-farmer
communication, leadership
Thai Farmers Association (TFA), Representation of farmers interests + 3 2 2
Labourers Production, generate income + 3 2 3
Rating, for details see Chapter 4: Stakeholder assessment and network mapping, and Table 14Table 1
1
Stake in improving resource efficiency: - negative; 0 neutral; + positive.
2
Potential leverage to improve resource efficiency: 1=no potential; 2 = mid-low; 3= high potential
3
Influence, based power: 1 = low or none; 2 = medium; 3 = high
4
Attitude towards a project improving resource efficiencies: 1 = potentially adverse; 2 = neutral; 3 = positive.
# Not identified in Multi-stakeholder workshop but mentioned in literature.
Rice farmers: The rice farmers in the Central plain represent about 25% of all rice farmers in
Thailand which is 578,340 households (OAE, 2010). On average they are planting 2.5 crops
per years; i.e. 1 crop per year in wet season and 1.5 in dry season. Average farm size is 4.4 and
4.8 ha per household in wet and dry season, respectively (Table 2). The average farm size of
the rice farmers in the central plain in both wet and dry season are generally larger than those
in the other regions.
Table 2: Average farm size of rice farmers in the central plain compares with farm size of rice farmers in
the North, Northeast and the South.
Season Farm size (ha) in various region

Central plain North Northeast South Over country
Wet season 4.4 2.3 2.3 1.9 2.5
Dry season 4.8 4.6 2.4 2.3 4.1
Source: OAE, 2010.

The small farm size is unsuitable for owning large machinery to replace human labour and
inappropriate for commercial production. In addition, farmers don’t have knowledge of
appropriate production technology and the rate of postharvest loss is supposedly high1.
Moreover, production process is changed from utilizing family labour to hiring labour force
that increases production cost from 3,581 Baht/year in 2002-2003 to 6,002 Baht for wet season
crops and 4,298 Baht for dry season crops (MOAC, MOC, 2010).
Farmer’s development as not been seriously conducted so as to acquire knowledge and
capacity in the production and management, as the majorities are small farm holders which do
1
The last systematic loss assessment of farming practices was conducted 1983, limited in scope and conducted at
the research stations. It did not include postharvest losses.

not strongly unite, while existing farmer’s institutions presently have several goals, not
focusing at the clear production development. This is one obstacle to transfer knowledge and
technology (MOAC, MOC, 2010).
Cooperatives are autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their
common economic, social and cultural need and aspirations through a jointly owned and
democratically controlled enterprise.
Farmers can also be organized in less formal Farmers Groups (FG).
Rice Community Center is a farmer organization that aims to produce good quality rice
seeds under recommendation and regulation of Rice Department. Functions of the center are:
• Production and distribution of good quality rice seed for the members nearby Quality
Seed certification.
• Technology transfer by setting up agricultural /farmer school.
• Develop the center to become a center of rice production, marketing and farmer’
social.
The Thai Rice Farmers Association (TFA) was established in September 2000, to provide
farmers an opportunity to participate in the Government decision making process related to
rice. It also provides information to its members on the systematic and cost-effective rice
farming, marketing trends and potential markets for Thai rice, rice varieties that suit market
demands, and ways to improve the soil condition in rice fields and reduce the use of chemical
pesticides and fertilizers. The Association headquarter is located in the province of Supanburi,
one of the major rice-growing areas of the country. The Association currently has about 1,000
members coming from 34 provinces.
Other important stakeholders on the producers’ side are the landowners and landless
labourers who work in custom services. Detailed data on these groups could not be obtained.
Land is a crucial element for any agricultural industry. Internationally, Thailand’s land
conditions are encouraging. Land abundance has for a long time constituted a main part of
Thailand’s comparative advantage in rice production (Poapongsakorn, 2006, p. 19).
The general conditions in the labour market for the rice industry are worrying. Whereas
industry profitability is not threatened by organised workers (as labour is sourced temporarily
or from the farming household and due to the generally low unionization in Thailand
[Chandoevwit, 2004, p. 14]), the rice industry experiences persistent labour shortages
In a second step, the reduced profitability of rice farmers adversely affects rice millers. Lower
profits of rice growing essentially discourage rice production if alternative, more profitable
income sources exist. The already worrying overcapacity in rice milling (see Sub-study 2) is
thus threatened by further aggravation through input contraction. Hence, the labour market is
among the most problematic factors in the rice industry in particular and the agricultural sector
in Thailand in general. Current reactions are persistent income source diversification by
farmers (Poapongsakorn, 2006, p. 24) and an estimated number of immigrant workers
(especially in agriculture) exceeding 1.5 million in 2004, of which two-thirds are illegal
workers (Chandoevwit, 2004, p. 15).

2.4. Postharvest processing

Postharvest processing includes processing of paddy to milled rice and its by-products bran
and husk (primary processing) and processing of milled rice and it’s by products into other
products (secondary processing). Major stakeholders are listed in Table 3.
Table 3: Overview on main actors involved in processing of rice (Source: Stakeholder workshop and
literature)
Profit / buy products, require
Rice millers + 2 3 3
quality
Rice flour processors Profit - 3 -
Thai Rice Millers Association # Represent millers’ interest 2 3 ?
International Miller Association 3 3 -
1
2
3
4
Rice millers: The rice processing is largely for primary products from grain to milled rice
through small and medium rice mills (C2 and C3 types, See Sub-study 2) in local community
whith shortage of effective machinery, resulting in higher costs with low quality. Huge mills
(C1) are located in city spending soaring environment-friendly costs and also lack of
efficiency improvement. While 44% of the C1 mills are located in the Central Plains including
Bangkok there are with 37% still a significant number of medium C2 mills but with 4 % only
few C3 mills. Detailed data about the different mill types could not be found.
Thai Rice Millers Association is an association of rice millers of over 800 members,
president is Chanchai Rakthananon. Functions of the association are to:
• Promote production of rice and milled rice in term of quantity and quality that
adequate and satisfy consumers.
• Compile statistic data of rice production, trade and export, and cooperation with related
government sector in production and marketing of rice information.
• Assist the members to overcome various objections and coordinate among the members
to exchange knowledge and information.
Rice flower and other product processors: The processing of rice products is not diversified.
The majority are still primary products with low value addition such as flour, noodles, snacks,
etc. figuring as 7% of exporting rice, equal to 2% of all exporting food. In spite of multiple
rice products R&D, the application are seldom made in commercial aspect. The rice product
business mainly conducts in a small scale for local uses scattering over every province. The
production may affect environment, since it is lack of modern technology and most of the
machine have been used for a long period without proper maintenance. In addition, the
products are under hygiene standards. The consumer, therefore, are not confident with the
products. (Extracted from (MOAC, MOC, 2010).
Some of these processors are rather big, one example is the Cho Heng Rice Vermicelli
Factory Co.,Ltd. Established in circa of 1930's, Cho Heng Rice Vermicelli Factory Company
Limited started out with production of rice vermicelli. The first factory was situated in

Pathumwan district, Bangkok. After twenty years of operation in Pathumwan, the factory and
company were moved to Pasricharoen district, Thonburi, to allow for growth in production. In
the year 1972 the company again outgrew its facilities and moved the entire operation to its
present site in Sampran, Nakhon Pathom. At that time, the company also began production of
white rice flour and white glutinous rice flour. At present, the production plant of the company
operates on 70 rai (11.2 ha) of land, employing approximately 1,400 staff and workers in the
production of rice derivatives, namely, rice flour, glutinous rice flour, rice starch, waxy rice
starch, modified rice starch, rice vermicelli, etc.
2.5. Marketing and consumption

Many actors from both, public and private sectors, are engaged in marketing paddy and milled
rice as shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Overview on main actors involved in marketing and consumption of rice (Source: Stakeholder
workshop and literature)
Description / Interest /
Actor
Function Stake 1 Leverage 2 Influence 3 Attitude 4
Market farmers products, joint
Marketing organization for farmers + 2 2 2
purchasing of inputs
Government Warehouse Storage 2 2 2
Middlemen Profit from trade 1 3 -
Transporters Profit / transport - - 1 2
Trader Profit + 3 3 3
Supermarkets in Thailand - 2 -
Retailers Rice supply + 2 2 2
Consumers Local consumers + 3 3 2
Exporters Profit / rice standard system + 2 3 3
Thai Rice Wholesalers Association # - - -
Thai Rice Exporters Association # - - -
International Trader Profit + 2 3 3
Importing countries Food security (e.g. Philippines) - 1 -
International Supermarkets 3 - -
International consumers, Includes:
3 - -
Rice importing countries
1
2
3
4
Sub-contractors are hired by particular millers and perform the function of a broker. They are
competing with local brokers. Sub-contractors will represent rice mill at the farm and bargain
to buy the paddy. Around 30% of the paddy is traded this way.
Brokers handle around 10% of the paddy and 65% of the milled rice. They are either
individuals or firms of middleman in paddy and milled rice trade linking farmers with millers
and millers with wholesalers and exporters. They charge a commission for their service.
Brokers also play an important role in information transfer among the customers about price,
rout and grain quality. Brokers provide a very useful rice trade connection by providing
convenience and reducing cost for millers, wholesalers and exporters.

Market Organization for Farmers is a state marketing enterprise that provides market center
for farmers to trade their produces, production input and household goods directly by
themselves.
Government Warehouse Organization (GWO) is a government enterprise under the
Ministry of Commerce. The main function this organization is to buy agricultural produces
from farmers particularly in the case of intervention price, and agricultural equipment for
farmers. They handle around 22% of the paddy and by 20% directly from farmers and around
2% from farmer organizations.
Wholesalers sell large quantities of milled rice to retailers. Milled rice wholesalers are
normally based in Bangkok or the province nearby. They buy milled rice directly from millers
or via brokers and sell to the retailers. The business of rice wholesale is categorized into 3
scales by considering amount of rice trading per month. Small scale trades trade less than 500
kg/month, medium ones 500-1000 kg/month and large ones more than 1 / month. Wholesalers
handle around 55% of the milled rice. Wholesalers are organized in the Thai Rice
Wholesalers Association.
Retailers are the last sellers before going to a final consumer with small quantity compare to
wholesale. They handle 55% of the milled rice that goes to the domestic market. Nowadays,
there are 2 types of retailers; a retailer that the store located in the corner on the street or in
local market, and the other is located in supermarket. In the supermarket, milled rice sold in
plastic bag of 2-5 kg. The rice contained in 2-5 kg plastic bag become very satisfies to
customer.
Exporters are traders that distribute Thai rice to the world market. They collect rice from
brokers or directly from millers. Exporters are independent in running export business accepts
have to be members of the Thai Rice Exporters Association. However, size and experiences of
export business cause limitation of new exporters. For details on 183 registered rice exporters,
however the majority of the rice is exported by only 10-20 big exporters. For this reason, the
millers cannot have negotiation power and marketing mechanism doesn’t entirely works.
A key stakeholder is the Thai Rice Exporters Association, which was founded in 1919, has
currently 191 members and works closely with the Ministry of Commerce, the Board of Trade
of Thailand and The Thai Chamber of Commerce and with other related associations like The
Thai Farmers Association, The Thai Rice Millers Association and The Thai Rice Wholesalers
Association. It supports the “Thailand Hom Mali Rice Contest” which is held annually to
promote the cultivation and the quality of fragrant rice, and the “Thailand Rice Convention”, a
biannual world class rice conference sponsored by Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of
Commerce where Thai rice exporters and buyers all over the globe meet and discuss the
industry. President: Ms. Korbsook Iamsuri. http://www.thairiceexporters.or.th/default_eng.htm
Thai Chamber of Commerce http://www.thaiechamber.com//
Local consumers: The rate of rice consumption in the past 5 years (2003-2007) slightly
increased by 1.02% per year. The internal consumption is yearly 15.0-15.5 million tons of
paddy or 50-55% of aggregated rice production. About 1.1-1.3 million tons of paddy is served
for breeder seeds whereas animal food and processing factories consume 3.0-3.8 million tons
of paddy.

Logistics: Thailand has fundamental infrastructure, i.e., central rice markets, rice mills,
wholesalers and exporters scattering all over every region to support cultivation and
postharvest activities throughout the country. In addition, there are silos, central storehouse,
inventory in spreading areas. The rice transportation is predominantly by road so it limits to
one-way hauling and conveyance, spending high time and more cost while there is no other
effective transportation development means.
2.6. Inputs and input suppliers

Input suppliers (Table 5) provide seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, agricultural equipment etc.
to the producers and the postharvest stakeholders.
Table 5: Overview on main input suppliers and supplier interest groups (Source: Stakeholder workshop
and literature)
Actor Interest / Function
Private seed suppliers Profit / selling seeds - 2 2
Inspect seed quality, third party
Rice Seed Center (RSC) + 3 3 2
certification
Irrigation water suppliers # Provide water for irrigation 3 3 -
Fertilizer dealer Input supply - - 2 -
Association of Fertilizer
- - - -
Manufacturers (AFM)
Agro-chemical dealers Profit from sales 1 2 1
Multinational chemical Pricing, policy, standardization, input
- - 2 -
manufacturers supply
Fuel dealers / providers Profit / selling inputs - 1 1 2
Machinery distributor Support 1 2 3
Machinery manufacturer #
1
2
3
4
Seed is provided by private seed suppliers and also by Rice seed centers (RSC).
There are a huge number of input suppliers in Thailand. www.bangkokcompanies.com for
example lists 77 agricultural machinery manufacturers and distributors for Bangkok, similar
numbers can be found for fertilizer and pesticide dealers. Compared to it’s neighbouring
countries Thailand has a vibrant agricultural machinery manufacturing industry (e.g. 5 local
combine harvester manufacturers plus a Kubota combine manufacturing plant). At higher
price the quality of Thai machinery is better than Vietnamese or Chinese equipment.
2.7. Support service providers

The role of capital varies to a great extent, depending on whether fixed or circulating capital is
considered. Despite the fact that mechanisation of production has increased throughout recent
decades fixed capital represents only a minor share of current input costs, accounting for
approximately 1% to 2% of total input costs. Major providers of financing services and
contract service are listed in Table 6.

Table 6: Overview on main financial service and other support providers (Source: Stakeholder workshop
and literature)
Agricultural Bank, AB Profit / credit - 3 -
Bank for Agriculture and
Profit / provide funds, Credit
Agricultural Cooperatives, + 3 3 3
provision, support to cooperatives
BAAC
Other banks or financial
Profit / provide funds - - 3 -
institutions
Informal credit providers Profit / Loans - 1 3 1
Futures market organization - - 3
Machinery contractors Support - 2 -
1
2
3
4
Farmers generally can choose among several sources to finance their operations. Among the
available opportunities, the BAAC represents the most central institution. In terms of loan
volume provided to the crop sub-sector, the BAAC accounted for THB 131 billion (EUR 2.68
billion; 44.8% of which were directed to rice production) in 2007 (BAAC, 2008, p. 183) and
commercial banks for THB 31 billion in 2007
2.8. Research
Research on rice related issues is conducted by various research institutions (Table 7)
including local universities like Kasetsart University, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology
and other universities in the provinces.
Table 7: Overview on main research actors (Source: Stakeholder workshop and literature)
Actor Mandate Assessment from Multi-stakeholder workshop
Contact
Kasetsart University Research,
+ 2 1 2
Other universities Training
Asian Institute of Research,
+ 1 1 3 http://www.ait.ac.th/
Technology, AIT # Training
The National Science Supports research
and Technology in science and
Development technology and http://www.biotec.or.th/biotechno
? ? ?
Agency, NSTDA # their application logy-th/
in the Thai
economy.
Agricultural Public
Research Organization,
Development promote and ? ? ? http://www.arda.or.th/index.htm
Agency, ARDA support research
on agriculture
Thai Rice Supporting rice
Foundation # educational
activities, cultural
1 1 3 http://www.thairice.org/
preservation,
research,
advocacy.
1
2
3

4
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) promotes technological change and sustainable
development in the Asian-Pacific region through higher education, research and outreach.
Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution
and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with
some of the top universities in the world. Various faculties have R&D activities on rice.
Research is coordinated and funded through several national agencies among them the
National Science and Technology Development Agency NSTDA and the Agricultural
Research Development Agency. The Thai Rice Foundation under royal patronage,
supporting rice educational activities, cultural preservation, research, and advocacy
movements.
2.9. Policy
Many institutions are mandated to formulate policy related to rice; the major ones are listed in
Table 8.
Table 8: Overview on main actors involved in formulating policy (Source: Stakeholder workshop and
literature)
Actor Mandate Relevant departments Assessment from Multi-stakeholder workshop
Ministry of Policy Department of Agricultural Economics 3 3 2
Agriculture making Rice Department - 3 3
and Buero of Rice Research and Development 3 3 2
Cooperatives Plant Protection Office 3 2 1
(MOAC) Department of Agriculture
Department of Agricultural Extension + 3 2 3
Land Reform Department - 1 -
Royal Irrigation Department - 3 3
The National Bureau of Agricultural
Commodity and Food Standards; (ACFS)
Laboratory Center for Food and
Agricultural Products Co., Ltd.; (LCFA)
Ministry of Standardizati Department of Foreign Trade
Commerce on, price Department of Internal Trade
(MOC) fixing Department of Export Promotion
Department of Trade Negotiation
3 3 3
Office of Trade Policy
Department of Intellectual Property
Department of Business Development
Public Warehouse Organization
Ministry of International
Foreign affairs relations - 3 -
(MOFA)
Ministry of Thai trade
Transport and policy
0 - 3 -
Communicatio
ns (MOTC)
Ministry of Department of Water Resources
Natural http://www.dwr.go.th/index_main.php
- 2 -
Resources and
Environment
Continued on next page…

Actor Mandate Relevant departments Assessment from Multi-stakeholder workshop

Ministry of Department of Industrial Works
Industry Department of Industrial Promotion
(MOI) The Board of Investment of Thailand;
BOI
The Office of Industrial Economics
Office of SMEs Promotion
Thailand Productivity Institute
National Food Institute
Institute for Small And Medium
Enterprises Development
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF
THAILAND
Ministry of The Customs Department
Finance Fiscal Policy Office
Bank of Agriculture And Agricultural
Cooperatives; BAAC
Export-Import Bank of Thailand; EXIM
Thailand
Small and Medium Enterprise
Development Bank of Thailand; SME
Bank
Nat. Rice Policy
Policy making
+ 3 3 3
Committee.
NRPC
National Policy
Research making for + 3 3 2
Council, NRC research
Extension Technology
+ 3 2 3
officers transfer
Local Administrati Regional Administration Office RAO (A,
Government, on, Funding, F)
LG Technology Provincial administration office PAO (A,
- 3 3 2
transfer F)
Policy Local administration Office LAO (P)
Local Extension Office LEO (T)
1
2
3
4
The National Rice Policy Committee with the prime minister as chairman comprises of
ministers and exclusive administrators of related ministries and sectors. The function of this
committee is mainly considering and approving strategy and project policy related to rice
production, marketing and trading. The example of this is Thai’s Rice Master Strategies which
is approved by the prime minister. According to Thai’s Rice Master Strategies, the policies
related to postproduction of rice are counted in the strategies on rice marketing system
management and products development. They are divided in to 3 main categories.
For paddy
• Post harvest management by set up standard certification for threshing machine in
order to minimize loss.
• Systemization of paddy storage practices to maintain grain quality, particularly, for
delay selling when rice price is getting too low.

• Organize paddy trade by specify paddy standard and set up accurate balance regulation
system for fairly trade.
• Organize and develop central market for fairly paddy trade and conform to paddy
standard.
For milled rice
• Systemize quality and quality of rice mills, particularly; the number of mills should be
consistent with quality of paddy production.
• Promote rice mill to develop production system and innovate standardized milling
technology.
• Promote assembly setting of traders and related associations to minimize competition
and collision among themselves.
• Promote equipment procuring for rice mills to improve milling quality to reach
customer satisfaction.
• Support setting up standardized silo in the rice growing area.
For rice products
• Promote rice processing development for diversified products and value added.
• Support rice production for raw material quality as processing entrepreneurs require.
Local governments through provincial and regional administration offices, local
administration offices and local extension offices are in charge with implementing policies,
funding of programs and technology transfer.
2.10. Other stakeholders

There are a lot of other stakeholders that are not an integral part of the Thai rice value chain
but currently have roles or potentially could play a role in improving resource efficiencies
(Table 9).

Table 9: Overview on main international stakeholders supporting resource use efficiency (Source:
Stakeholder workshop and literature)
Description / Interest /
Actor
Function Stake 1 Leverage 2 Influence 3 Attitude 4
International Rice Research Institute, Research, Technology
+ 1 1 3
IRRI transfer, GAP
Food and Agriculture organization, FAO Donor + 2 2 2
Japan International Cooperation
Donor 3 3
Agency, JICA
United Nations Environment
Donor + 2 1 3
Programme, UNEP
Applied GeoSolutions, LLC # Consultant + 1 1 3
Logistics provider - 2 2 2
International competitor (company) - 3 3 1
Competitor, source for
Rice producing countries (RPC) 2 1 2
imports
Green Peace NGO - - -
Public media 3 3 -
Promote black / sticky
Kao Kam Foundation 3 3 3
rice
Public relations agencies 3 3 3
1
2
3
4
The International Rice Research Institute has a long history of collaboration with Thailand
on rice research. Currently it is partnering with the Rice Department through the Irrigated Rice
Research Consortium (IRRC) for the improvement of natural resource management. It
includes working groups working on nutrient, water, pest and weed management and on
postharvest.
Although FAO in Bangkok does not have a rice program it still collaborates in Thailand with
the Royal Irrigation Department and other partners in the areas of water management.
JICA, UNEP and other donors are funding projects in related areas.
Applied GeoSolutions has built or access to several GIS databases for Thailand, as well as a
suite of remote sensing data (Japanese SAR) collected explicitly for mapping and monitoring
rice in Thailand Central Plain, which could be useful for projects improving resource
efficiencies as follows:
1. Use of remote sensing for mapping and monitoring agricultural systems and
management practices. We have a strong focus on mapping of rice paddies (extent,
plant/harvest dates, water management, and crop growth).
2. Application of geospatial biogeochemical modeling tools for GHG emission
inventories, water use, air quality, water quality (Nitrate leaching) and crop
productivity.
3. Development of site to regionally specific management strategies for mitigation of
GHG emissions, water quality impacts and nutrient loading. This includes evaluating
various best management strategies impact on climate mitigation, ecosystem services
and crop productivity.

2.11. Value chain dynamics: Prices, profits and regulations

Production process is changed from utilizing family labor to hiring labor force that increases
production cost from 3,581 Baht/year in 2002-2003 to 6,002 Baht for wet season crops and
4,298 Baht for dry season crops.
According to the study of Logistics Excellence Center by King Mongkut’s University of
Technology, Thonburi, the logistics cost of rice is 61,047 million baht equal to 19% of total
rice products (about 315,139 million baht) in the year 2004-05. It is divided into weight loss
6%, transportation 5%, management 5% and inventory and storage 4%. Logistics cost in
Thailand is higher than Japan 6%, due to weight loss and inventory. As a result, Thai farmers
shall mostly take on the transportation cost and the millers shall be mainly responsible for the
inventory and losses.
Another study conduced by Dawe, D. et al., (2003) compared marketing cost by function and
gross margins and found very little markup over costs in Thailand compared to the Philippines
(Table 10).
Table 10: Marketing costs by function, 2003,
Table 11: Breakdown of marketing margins
Nueva Ecija to Manila (Philippines)
and costs by marketing agent, 2003,
and Suphan Buri to Bangkok
Nueva Ecija to Manila, Philippines
(Thailand); units are in US$ per ton
(Phil) and Suphan Buri to Bangkok,
of dry paddy (Source: Dawe, D. et
Thailand (Thai). (Source: Dawe, D.
al., 2003).
et al., 2003)
Source of data: surveys conducted by the authors. Price data were

converted from local currency to US$ at exchange rates of 55 Philippine
pesos to the dollar and 40 Thai baht to the dollar.
The differential marketing costs explain

just one-fourth of the differential gross
margin. Most of the larger net margin in
the Philippine case occurs at the milling
stage, as can be seen from an examination
of the costs and margins disaggregated by
agent in Table 11. In Thailand over-
Source of data: surveys conducted by the authors. Price data were
converted from local currency to US$ at exchange rates of 55 Philippine capacity in rice milling seem to result in
pesos to the dollar and 40 Thai baht to the dollar.
low margins in milling.
Domestic rice prices in early harvest season is low caused by irregular distribution.
Moreover, rice price is altered by world market together with products and stocks of buyers
and competitors.
Exports of rice: Thailand is on the first rank of the world in rice export computed as 28-30%
of total global rice market. The exporting value is 80,000-100,000 million baht per year due to

milled rice export of 7.3-7.5 million tons per year (11-11.36 million tons of rice grain) which
consists of good quality rice 55%, medium 11%, low 4%, parboiled rice 25%, glutinous rice
4% and brown rice 1%. The exporting average rate increases 1.74 % per year in the past 5
years while the global trading increases 3.79% per year.
Export of products from rice: Rice exporting products still have low quality and small
volume since the majority are primary products. The export value is annually 5,000-6,000
million baht, about 7-8% of entire rice exporting amount. Furthermore, the growth rate of
export is stumpy while the high valued and advanced technology products are tiny making
Thai rice product market limited and blocked in terms of high tariff rates.
3. Policy context
Supporting policy is required for systematic rice improvement strategy in short, medium and
long term periods for sustainably strengthening the production system, markets, internal and
international trade. This section first lists existing policies related to rice either supportive or
hindering, the second gives on overview on the Thai Rice Strategies that were developed by
the Ministry of Commerce in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,
other government institutions, and related private sector players and consist of vision, mission,
6 main strategies for a 5 - year implementation period (2007-2011).
3.1. Policies regulating rice production

Weak marketing mechanism - The government intervention rice market to balance rice
demand and supply has been used as a tool of political voting by setting mortgage price higher
than market price. Consequently, farmers cultivated without considering in quality and
appropriate areas which lead to long term problems. Therefore, government mortgage burden
is continuously higher. The mortgage amount is 5.295 million tons in 2004-05, 5.291 million
tons in 2005-06 (2.383 million tons in 2003-04). The government has to bear the mortgage
costs, rice stock and release.
Many institutions are engaged in rice policy, requiring multi stakeholder coordination (Table
12). The overall coordination lies with the National Rice Policy Committee which is lead by
the Rice Department.
Table 12: Examples for organizations involved in rice related policy
Policy name Institution
Crop diversification DOAE, DOA, LD, MOI
Infrastructure development MOAC, RID, DOAE, DOA, LD, LDD
Productivity DOAE, DOA, CPD, BAAC, MOF
Market: Confidential policy MOAC, DOAE, DOA, CPD
Information System MOC, OAE
Table 13 lists some key policies for product regulation and for organizational regulation.

Table 13: Overview on policies regulating rice production

Product regulation Organization regulation
No. Policy No. Policy
2534 Land Readjustment Act 2489 Public warehouse act
2432 Land reform for Agriculture Act 2535 BAAC act
2526 Land development act 2535 MOF Act
2546 GI Act 2549 Rice Department Act
2517 Farmer aid fund act
2542 Farmer development and recover
fund act
3.2. Thai Rice Strategy 2007-2011

Vision: To be a leader in rice production and enable farmers’ income sustainability and create
consumer confidence.
Mission:
1. Support production system management and support to farmers
2. Support market system management and production development
3. Stimulate rice exports through pro-active policy
4. Reduce cost and time in rice distribution system
Objectives:
1. To clearly identify scope and direction of production development, marketing as well
as rice distribution.
2. To uplift farmers’ livelihood by ensuring farmers’ career and income stability.
3. To develop trading system, rice distribution and rice products in domestic and global
markets as a basis of sustainable national economic growth.
Main Strategies:
Six groups of strategies were identified to improve the rice value chain from a basis in 2007 to
2011 as follows:
• Group of strategies for Production development: aims at increasing annual paddy
production from 31 million tons to 39 million tons through increasing yields by 20%
and increasing rice area from 10.4 million ha to 11.2 million ha. Strategies include
positioning Thai rice as non-GMO rice, zoning for domestic and export production,
development of fundamental production infrastructure, conservation and better
utilization of genetic resources, strengthening research, improving seeds, establishment
of rice community centers, GAP, rice inspection and certification, rice for niche

markets, information systems for farmers and better coordination with local
administration.
• Group of strategies for Promotion and supporting farmers aims at assuring higher
incomes and better living conditions for farmers who are proud of being farmers by
increasing the knowledge of at least one million farmers, provision of immediate,
thorough and accurate technical information and services based on their needs and by
strengthening farmers’ associations. Strategies include: Develop solutions for farmers’
debt problem, create “smart framers” and convert farmers into professionals, support
young farmers, support to farmers’ seed production, establishment of farmers service
centers and rice information center, support to farmers groups, farmer’s welfare
systems, supplementary jobs, and others.
• Group of strategies for Marketing management system & products development aims
at rising farmers’ incomes by at least 10% in 5 years by stimulating market
mechanisms to improve market potential and boost production potential. It also aims at
increasing rice trade in the Agricultural futures exchange to approximately 20% of the
rice exports. Strategies include: Paddy: Certification for equipment, better storage,
organized central market system, provision of postharvest facilities and Fair trade
certification. Milled rice: Adjusting rice milling capacity to production, encourage
contract farming, transparent electronic trading, rice guarantee system through
agricultural futures exchange, provision of tools and equipment to mills, encourage
bulk handling (silos). Rice products: Encourage value adding through diversified
products and support to increasing raw material quality.
• Group of strategies for Maintaining price stability aims at reducing paddy price
intervention cost from 4,400 million baht to 4,000 million bath by reducing the
intervention price. Strategies include: Foster access to markets, promote better
understanding of markets among farmers, abolish market interventions, create
additional market driven interventions, improve access to credit and equipment for
farmers and promote better quality.
• Group of strategies for International marketing development aims at increasing
exports from 7.4 million tons or 2,057 million US$ in 2006 to 8.5-9.5 million t or
2.550-2.850 million US$. Strategies include: Introduce exporter registration, create
regional collaboration with neighboring countries, improve image of Thai rice and
improve positioning in markets, encourage government to government exports,
government trade missions, standardization and certification, and develop an export
information system.
• Group of strategies for Logistics and services management aims at reducing cost for
logistics and services from 19% of gross rice production cost to 15%. Strategies
include: Increase capability in logistics and services management, establish regional
service centers, improve regulations for storage facilities, storage facility
improvements, reduce redundant processes in export, and improve transportation
infrastructure and networks.

4. Stakeholder assessment and network mapping

A stakeholder assessment and network mapping was done by the participants of the
Stakeholder workshop, 17-18 June, Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. This chapter will provide
a summary, for details refer to the workshop report. When interpreting the results one need to
keep in mind that the assessment was done by representatives a limited number of
stakeholders with many government representatives and fewer from the private sector.
Farmers were also underrepresented. The results are incorporated in the Table 1 to Table 9 in
the columns Stake, Leverage, Influence and Attitude. Ratings are 1 to 3 and mean the
following:
Table 14: Framework for stakeholder assessments
Category Question asked 1 2 3 -
Stake Initial question: Does the stakeholder feel positive, neutral or Negative Neutral Positive No opinion or
negative towards improving the efficiency of the value chain? no data
Leverage What potential does the stakeholder have to provide leverage to No Mid to High No opinion or
improve resource efficiency (Number of actors, business volume..)? potential low potential no data
Influence How much influence does the actor have in the network? Low or Medium High No opinion or
Based on multi facetted power including capacity, legitimacy, none no data
financial resources, knowledge, etc
Attitude What is the actor’s most likely attitude towards improving resource Potentially Neutral Positive No opinion or
efficiencies. adverse no data
For improving resource efficiencies the assessment can be summarized as follows:

Figure 3 shows one of the network maps generated during the Stakeholder workshop
Figure 3: Consolidated network map of the actors in the Thai rice value chain (for details see Stakeholder
workshop report)

Some lessons can be drawn from the maps.

1. The bigger the node the more participants had mentioned the actor. It is clear the
participants were most aware about farmers as important actors, followed by other rice
supply chain actors like farmers’ organizations, millers, and exporters. These are
followed by ministries (MOAC, MOC), national research institutions, international
traders and Government warehouses. The MOAC node would actually be bigger since
several departments and offices of the MOAC are listed independently. There was an
over proportional percentage of participants from the MOAC which explains this
detail.
2. The most connected stakeholders are in the center of the map, least connected in the
periphery. It appears that Thai farmers are in contact with and get information from
many sources (See also Composite map showing only knowledge flows in Appendix 3
of the workshop report).
3. The thickness of the connecting arrows represents the number of connections between
two actors. Farmers are for example strongly linked to farmers groups, cooperatives,
millers, traders etc, but less to research institutions.
Farmers and farmer organizations like cooperatives, farmer groups and the Thai Farmers
Association have positive attitudes towards improving resource efficiencies. Farmers have
high potential for leverage because of their sheer numbers and because they are the actors in
the field. Potentially conservative attitudes or risk avoidance behavior opposing change can be
addressed by providing information and training. Farmers’ interest groups (cooperatives and
farmers groups) have more influence than individual farmers.
Landless laborers also have high leverage due to their numbers and action in the field and a
positive attitude towards improving resource efficiencies. They are usually not organized so
their influence is limited.
Since projects can only reach a limited number of farmers any initiative should focus on the
farmer organizations.
The Thai Rice millers and their organization are also an important stakeholder with high
influence and potentially positive attitude towards improving resource efficiencies. They have
an interest in better quality paddy, leverage is medium and could be through providing a price
incentive for quality. Other processors like flower mills are probably too detached from
production since they buy milled rice that they might not be much interested in resource
efficiency improvements in production.
The trade sector is more neutral with some exceptions. Most traders and exporters as well as
importing countries appreciate premium quality and would appreciate market opportunities for
these. They are also interested in the continued competitiveness of the Thai rice industry.
Ultimately consumers, nationally and internationally have the highest leverage since they
make the market, domestic consumers have high influence through their purchasing behavior
but might not (yet) have a positive attitude towards improving resource efficiencies.
International consumers potentially have positive attitudes but the workshop participants did
not feel in a position to make a statement on this or their influence.
Input suppliers, depending on their type of input, have neutral to negative attitudes towards
resource efficiency improvements. Agro-chemical manufacturers and dealers (pesticides and

fertilizer) are expected to object to efforts in using less of their products, except they can be
convinced that for sustaining the market this is necessary. Machinery manufacturers and
distributors most likely are more positive if this resource efficiency improvements (e.g. better
fuel consumption) lead to better market potential for equipment. Most influence and leverage
have seed producers because of their close contact to farmers, often they are farmers
themselves.
Financial service providers, except informal credit providers, should have positive attitudes,
have big influence through their approval of credits. If their credit schemes are linked with
resource efficiency criteria they can have large leverage. The most important ones, due to their
agricultural mandates, are BAAC followed by AB.
National research is seen as having positive attitude but little influence and leverage.
Influence and leverage are increased when research results are often translated into policy
recommendations. Kasetsart University was mentioned by the participants and “other
Universities”. There several other universities like King Mongkuth’s Institute of Technology
(KMIT) that work on rice related topics like drying usually in close collaboration with the
private sector. It is worth doing an assessment of those too. AIT was rated as having a positive
attitude, resource efficiency topics are being researched there, but also with little influence and
leverage since it is a mainly academic institution. Bodies supporting and funding science were
mentioned but not rated (NSTDA, ARDA).
Most important government bodies for improving resource efficiencies are MOAC, MOC
and the local government all with positive attitudes and high leverage and influence (through
policy) but other ministries also have roles (MOFA, MOTC, MNRE, MOI, MOF). A key role
has the National Rice Policy Committee, highly influential with the prime minister as chair
and
Other stakeholders with positive attitudes but low or medium influence and leverage are
international institutions like IRRI, FAO, UNEP and donors like JICA. FAO has more
influence than IRRI because of a bigger country program. For some reason JICA was rated as
having high influence and leverage, probably through restricted funding.
Specialized international Consultants like Applied Geosystems have very positive attitudes but
now leverage or influence.
5. Opportunities / levers
The participants of the Stakeholder workshop have also identified problems and opportunities
and prioritized them according to what they felt has biggest potential to improve resource
efficiency.

Table 15: Overview of opportunities identified during the Stakeholder workshop

Issue Opportunity / proposed Impact on resource efficiency Levers Priority
1
measure
Low response Varietal improvement • Better utilization of resources Breeding 1
to inputs
Low seed Private sector • Increase in input efficiencies Public private partnership 11
quality involvement, quality • Higher yield (PPP), seed centers in CP
registration and • Reduction of PH losses
certification
Cropping Reduce to rice 2 • Reduction of eutrophication, Policy, PPP 7
intensity too crops/year; training and nutrient leaching Water release based on 2
high demos • Maintained soil quality crops
Alternative for other third • Risk reduction of water Support inputs for 2
crop scarcity crops.
Poor soil Research on water, • Reduction in fertilizer use, GAP, PPP (extension, 29
quality fertilizer, pesticide use nutrient leaching and run-off farmers representations,
with environmental • Reduction in water use traders, exporters,
Excess use of
fertilizer impact and carbon • Reduction in pesticide use supermarkets)
footprint. and pesticide poisonings Research institutions and
Excess use of Water allocation plan, • Reduction in pest and policy (Rice Department)
pesticides diseases
Organic agriculture Incentives for soil
Poor water improvements
management Water fees
Lack of Increase knowledge • Awareness about Ministries, government 21
knowledge, access; participatory environmental aspects of rice and research institutions
low learning systems, free production Farmers leaders /
educational education for farmers; • Implementation of resource organizations
level of change perception of efficient practices
farmers, lack farmers; open
of access to environment for farmers,
knowledge empowering farmers,
and knowledge and
conservative information community
attitudes centers
Poor paddy Better mechanized • Less losses in postharvest = GMP 2
quality harvesting less inputs used to produce
Price incentives for the same amount at market
quality
Unstable Thai rice quality • Improving resource use Certification, branding, 7
world market development and efficiency through inclusion and labelling
prices and low standardization of ecological criteria in PPP
bargaining certification
power
1
Number of votes from participants, 5 votes each.
The participants flagged up the following gaps:

• Little is known about the attitudes of consumers, are they willing to pay a premium for
certain certification such as GAP/GMP, and eco labelling?

• Ecosystem services and ecosystem resilience are a new concept and little has been
done. How can the government, farmers and consumers be made more aware of
ecosystems services?
• While farmers need more information on the negative effects of inefficient resources
use many farmers are aware of the environmental issues but want high production and
reduce risk. Cultural reasons and conservativeness also prevents them from changing
existing practices.
• Very few farmers do organic rice production. High cost, higher labor requirement and
low returns prevent more farmers from participating. Market incentives need to be
stronger. The same is true for GAP, which is currently subsidized by the Government.
Currently markets don’t pay for a GAP label but in order to establish GAP sustainably
this needs to be the case. Where is the business case for GAP rice and eco rice?
• Awareness for rice production and promotion for farmers needs to be increased to
ensure that rice farming has a future with the young generation. Rice production should
be included in the curriculum of schools.
• More partnerships are needed to address complex issues, the Government should work
more with organizations representing farmers and not so much with individual farmers.
6. Recommendations
There is a large number of actors in the Thai rice value chain in type but also in numbers.
Farmers interests are represented by cooperatives, farmers groups and the farmers association,
which provide good platforms to reach a large number of producers. The milling sector is very
competitive with significant over-capacity. Millers’ interests are strongly supported by the
Thai Rice Millers Organization. The trading sectors of both, paddy and milled rice, are
fragmented with different players providing a variety of marketing channels and, it is also
highly competitive. Compared to other countries in the GMS Thailand has many exporters,
who also have a powerful interest representation.
Problems with overuse of resources (water, fertilizer and pesticides) are significant in the
Central Plains. Problems in the postharvest chain are not so much of technical nature but
related to the market problems and the lack of incentives for resource efficient production (see
also Sub-study 2).
Multi stakeholder partnerships including farmers representing organizations, the public sector,
local millers and traders and importers can help improving market channels and provide
additional market driven incentives which, when implemented throughout the value chain, will
encourage producers to optimize resource use and processors to minimize losses. Examples
are: Certification and labelling of Thai rice using GAP, GMP, eco labels and others and
developing corresponding export markets.
7. References
Dawe, D.C. et al., Rice marketing systems in the Philippines and Thailand: Do large numbers of competitive traders ensure good
performance?..., Food Policy (2008), doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2008.02.001
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Commerce (MOAC, MOC, 2010): Rice strategies, Year 2007-2011.
Translated by Foreign and Special Projects Group, Bureau of Rice Policy and Strategy, Rice Department, 2 April 2010

OAE, Office of Agricultural Economics. 2010. (Online) http://www.oae.go.th/oae_report/stat_agri/main.php?lang=en

Other references are included in the reference list of Sub-study 2

Workshop Report
Stakeholder workshop for resource

efficiency and ecosystems services in the
rice value chain in Thailand’s central plain
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

17-18 June 2010
Rica Joy Flor, Martin Gummert and Bhagirath Chauhan
Conducted as part of the scoping study: Resource efficiency and

ecosystems services in rice production in Thailand’s central plain: Baseline
research
Multi-stakeholder Workshop: Resource efficiency in the value chain… Thailand, 17-18 June 2010
Table of contents
Background .............................................................................................................2
Objectives................................................................................................................2
Workshop outputs....................................................................................................3
The workshop process ............................................................................................3
Workshop languages ...........................................................................................4
Participation .........................................................................................................4
The Workshop .........................................................................................................4
Day 1....................................................................................................................4
Problem analysis ..............................................................................................5
Stakeholder analysis ........................................................................................8
Day 2, Morning...................................................................................................10
Stakeholder analysis: Network mapping.........................................................10
Influence, leverage and attitude analysis........................................................12
Integration ......................................................................................................13
Day 2, Afternoon ................................................................................................18
Next Steps .............................................................................................................19
Learning-oriented monitoring.................................................................................19
Appendix................................................................................................................21
Appendix 1. Problem trees from all the groups...............................................21
Appendix 2. Network maps drawn by each of the groups...............................23
Appendix 3. Parking lot (from day 1) ..............................................................24
Appendix 4. Composite maps showing details of interactions between
stakeholders. ..................................................................................................25
Appendix 5. List of workshop participants and their contact details................28
1
Background
There is growing recognition that unsustainable production and consumption, and
inefficient use of resources is a challenge that must be tackled along with many
environmental and social issues. Many governments have started to develop
actions to address the causes and impacts of this challenge. The United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and other organizations have started working
with stakeholders in Thailand to meet this challenge.
The workshop is conducted within the context of the scoping study Resource
efficiency and ecosystems services in rice production in Thailand’s central
plain: Baseline research. The study is a follow-up activity to the UNEP Expert
roundtable on improving resource efficiency in Thai rice production, held at UNEP-
ROAP, Bangkok, on 1-2 February 2010.
As an outcome of the UNEP meeting, it was suggested to conduct a pre-pilot desk

survey to set a baseline and determine whether there is sufficient scope for
improvements of resource efficiencies in water and nutrients in rice agriculture in
the Central Plains of Thailand. In addition, this survey should also assess losses
and inefficiencies in rice postproduction, compile an inventory of ecosystem
services in the Central plain rice production and analyze actors and their
relationships from production to export. Several background papers produced in
this study will provide the basis for further decisions by UNEP and its partners on
the next steps for the “Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply
chains” project.
This multi-stakeholder workshop aims at collecting input from key stakeholders of

the rice value chain of the central plains in Thailand to complement the data
collected in the desk studies.
Objectives
• Identify key problems and opportunities for improved resource efficiency in the
rice value chain in the central plains of Thailand
• Describe stakeholders and patterns of interaction in the value chain
• Identify levers for improving resource efficiencies
2
Workshop outputs
List of key problems in resource efficiency and sustainability as well as the
causes identified by participants
Identified opportunities to improve resource efficiency in the Thai rice value
chain
Network maps showing the actors and patterns of interaction between them
Documentation of the plenary discussion
The workshop process

The workshop was a participatory process conducted following the guide as shown
in figure 1. In this process, groups brainstorm through questions provided by the
facilitating team from IRRI, Rica Joy Flor, Martin Gummert and Bhagirath
Chauhan. There are two main blocks of analysis: 1) problem analysis, in which
groups examine the causes of the problem of inefficiency in the rice value chain
and 2) stakeholder analysis, where groups consider the actors in the entire value
chain, the interactions between them and their level of influence, attitudes and
potential leverage in improving resource efficiency.
Introduction to the Project and the Workshop
Next Steps
Figure 1. The workshop roadmap
3
Workshop languages
Thai was the working language for most of the participants. Where facilitation was
made in English, a translator was at hand to provide a Thai translation. Group
outputs and discussions were documented in English.
Participation
Thirty stakeholders joined the workshop. The participants from government
institutes were from rice research, irrigation, internal trade, extension, and rice
seed and product development. Farmer and private sector representatives from
rice milling, trade and export associations, as well as fertilizer companies also
participated. (See Appendix 5: List of workshop participants and their contact
details.)
The Workshop
Day 1
The workshop was opened by Dr. Prasert Gosalvitra, Director General of the Rice
Department of the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). The
representative from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Dr.
James Lomax, provided a background that set the scene for the scoping studies as
preparation for the planned project on resource efficiency in Thailand. Mr. Martin
Gummert from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) introduced the
workshop objectives and process. Participants were then grouped according to
sectors, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Group composition

Producers group Input providers group Postharvest group Research group
Mr. Chaiyaporn Mr. Sinsamut Pankate Mr. Thanadech Manathanya Mrs. Prarthana Suksiri
Prompan
Mr. Punthip Pherchao Mr. Somyot Kwanpipat Mr. Supoj Vongjirattikan Mrs. Nittaya Ruensook
Mr. Prasit Boonchuey Mr. Natthapat Mr. Ektichai Boonmueang Ms. Chuanchom
Wongsupaluk Deeratsamee
Mr. Kukiat Soitong Mr. Samrith Chomchalad Mr. Wanchai Dr. Laddawan Kunnoot
Khanthaweeramongkul
Mr. Satesh Dhondu Ms. Julmanee Ms. Vilaiwan Nakhoncopta Ms. Sukanya Kong-
Rahatwal Pituncharurnlap ngoen
Mr. Rungrote Yarnsiri Dr. Amara Wiengweera Dr. Sylvain Perret
Ms. Rossakon Keosa-ard Dr. James Lomax
4
Problem analysis
In the first activity, participants got to know each others’ name, institutional
affiliation and connection to the Thai rice value chain. Key stakeholders were
asked prior to the workshop to talk about resource efficiency in their context. There
were two participants from each of the four groups who shared their thoughts.
Research group:
• Farmers use 30kg/Rai seed, recommendation is 15kg/Rai
• Uptake of research results is slow
• Limited number of extension staff
• Lack of simplified messages for farmers
Rice Department staff should be more effective
Postharvest group:
• Low quality of rice from central plains (variety related)
• Farmers need to reduce inputs
• Farmers need to learn more about rice production and improve it
• Intensified systems in Central Plains => poor soil quality
• Farmers use too much water
• Climate change leads to harvest during rain => low milling quality
• Climate change, stress during production leads to chalky grains
• Climate change leads to need for heat tolerant variety
• Pesticide sales is “good business” (Spray 5 times instead of 2 times)
• 3 crops per year lead to high losses (what is the point to produce a third
crop if most is lost?)
Farmer income guarantee instead of the current price guarantee
2 Crops / season, crop rotation
Export of parboiled rice has potential (to Africa)
Producers Group
• Pollution of water in rice fields (when he was a kid he could drink it)
• Unsuitable fertilizer recommendations
• Labor shortage
strengthen cooperatives
Plant 2 crops / year instead of 3 crops / year to reduce inputs, pests and
losses
Zoning
5
Input providers group

• Modern varieties led to a fast increase of fertilizer use in the last 10 years
=> increased import of fertilizers
• Fertilizer overuse 50kg/Rei
• Production cost high because high pesticide use, fertilizer is not the major
cost item
• 30cm of water instead of 5 cm when irrigating
only grow 2 crops per year
After the presentations and discussion, the groups worked on constructing a

problem tree to identify the main causes why the Thai rice value chain is resource
inefficient and unsustainable (see Figure 2). They ask ‘why’ this problem is
happening, and by asking this several times, they break down the main problem
into smaller units. At the last level of causes are smaller units of the problem which
can be intervention points that stakeholders can work towards to change the
situation. Participants were guided to think through the main problem by letting
them list the inputs used in rice production and postproduction (Table 2). For more
details on the groups’ problem trees, see Appendix 1.
Table 2. List of inputs used in the rice value chain

Seeds Knowledge Finance
Fertilizer Equipment Labor
Soil / land Technology
Water Infrastructure
Fuel / energy Transport
Pesticides
6
Figure 2. Sample problem tree from the Input providers group (left), and the
group discussing and creating their problem tree (right).
The four different groups have identified different key problems along the rice
value chain, which reflects their different perceptions of the problems and can be
summarized as follows:
Producers group: Lack of knowledge on rice production
Postharvest group: a.) Poor quality milled rice which can’t compete in the world
market
b.) Low paddy price for farmers
Input providers group: High cost of production
Research group: Low yield and low production
Once participants had ‘broken down’ the problem, they are at a level of problems
which can be turned into opportunities for action. Groups discussed what
opportunities or actions need to be done, who should do it and where this action
needs to take place (Figure 3). In small group discussions, representatives from
each group presented their outputs to each of the other groups. Their final outputs
are presented under section Day 2 along with the prioritization of opportunities.
Figure 3. A representative from the Input providers group explaining their

output to the Postharvest group (left), and their list of opportunities (right).
7
Stakeholder analysis
In the last activity of the day, groups sat down and discussed the key actors in the
Thai rice value chain. They also describe the main function and interest of each
actor. In the last column of their handout, they also indicate the stake each actor
has in improving resource efficiency (positive, neutral, or negative). The
consolidated list of actors from all groups is presented in Table 3.
Table 3. List of key actors in the Thai rice value chain, with their
interest/function and stake in improving resource efficiency.
Stake in
improving
Actor Full/ Official Name, key description Interest/ Function
resource
efficiency
Farmer Production +
Profit, high price of production, low cost
Key_Farmers Includes: Community Leaders +
of input/producer
Low interest rate/Paddy price negotiation,
Cooperative credit and loans, membership services, +
input supply
Land_owner
Profit, high price of production, low cost
Farmer group, includes: community rice of input/producer group to negotiate
FG
center price, farmer-to-farmer communication,
leadership
Market_org marketing organization for farmers +
Miller_Assoc_Intl International Miller Association

Miller Profit / buy products, require quality +
Rice_Flour_Processors
Govt_warehouse Government Warehouse Storage
Middlemen
Trader Profit +
Supermarkets_Thai
Retailer Rice supply +
Transporter Profit / transport 0
Consumer +
Exporter Profit / rice standard system +
Trader_Intl International Trader Profit +
Importing_countries
Supermarkets_Intl
International consumers, Includes: Rice
Consumer_Intl
importing countries
Laborer Production +
Govt_Agency Government Policy making
Ministry Policy making
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,
MOAC Policy making +
Thai agricultural policy
MOC Ministry of Commerce Standardization, price fixing
MOTC Thai trade policy Policy 0
8
Stake in
improving
Actor Full/ Official Name, key description Interest/ Function
resource
efficiency
MOFA Ministry of foreign affairs
NRPC National Rice Policy Committee Policy making +
DAEcon Department of Agricultural Economics Research
LRD Land Reform Department
BRRD Bureau of Rice Research and Research +
Development
Technology transfer (too much admin
DOAE Department of Agricultural Extension load) -
RD Rice Department +
Green manure seeds, organic, land
suitability zoning, fertilizer
LDD Land Development Department recommendation +
PPO Plant Protection Office
LG Local government Administration
Local administration, Support and give
RAO Regional administration office funding?
Local administration, Support and give
PAO Provincial administration office funding?
LAO Local administration Office Policy making
LEO Local Extension Office Technology transfer +
Land development department Bio-
LDD_BP products
NRC National Research Council Policy making for research
Thai_research University, AIT Influence policy
University (Several) Education +
Rice Research Centers, Includes: Research Inspect seed quality, certification,
RRC institutes knowledge creation +
RID Royal Irrigation Department Water allocation, release, +/-
infrastructure management
Envt_Policy Environment Policy (standards) Standard/certification
AB Agricultural Bank Profit / credit
BASC Bank Profit / provide funds -
Financial_institute Bank Profit / provide funds -
BOAC Bank of Agriculture and Cooperative Credit provision, support to cooperatives +
Informal_Credit Profit / Loans -
Input_supplier Provides resource for profit -
Futures_Mkt_Org Futures market organization
Inspect seed quality, third party
RSC Rice Seed Center certification +
AFM Association of Fertilizer Manufacturers -
Fertilizer_dealers Input supply -
Pricing, policy, standardization, input
Chemical_dealers_Intl Multinational chemical manufacturers supply -
Chemical_dealers Dealer: non-fertilizer inputs Input supply -
Fuel_providers Profit / selling inputs 0
Seed_suppliers_Pvt Private seed suppliers Profit / selling seeds
Machinery_provider Support
9
Stake in
improving
resource
Actor Full/ Official Name, key description Interest/ Function efficiency
Machinery_service Machinery contractors Support
International_research IRRI, CIRAD Support
IRRI International Rice Research Institute Research
FAO Food and Agriculture organization Donor
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency Donor
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme Donor
Extensionist Extension officers Technology transfer +
Competitor_Intl -
Logistics_provider 0
RPC Rice producing countries
GreenPeace Green Peace NGO
Public_media Public media
KK_Foundation Kao Kam Foundation
PR
The day ended with a go around for which the participants were asked what to
briefly state what was most important for them during the day. Some participants
felt that at this point the opportunities identified were very much “business as
usual” and new ideas were not flagged up. These comments were captured on a
“parking lot” (Appendix 3) for consideration in the discussions of Day 2.
Day 2, Morning
Stakeholder analysis: Network mapping
The day started with a recap of the previous day and an activity to introduce
networks. The theme of the day was “to think outside the box”; this theme was to
help participants brainstorm some more about stakeholders and opportunities.
From their outputs of the previous day and explanation about visualizing networks,
groups worked on mapping stakeholders in the Thai rice value chain. Groups had
to decide what the main function of each stakeholder is so that they could
characterize what category each stakeholder belongs. They were tasked to write
each stakeholder, depending on category in different colored post-its.
Table 4. Categories of actors and their color labels in network mapping.

Color Stakeholder category
Green Rice production flow
Yellow Policy
Blue Support service/input provider
Pink Research stakeholder
Orange Donor
10
The actors in the network maps are connected based on the following interactions:
1) blue arrows for knowledge flow, 2) red arrows for input flow, 3) black arrows for
policy and regulations, 4) green arrows for transfer of the rice as a product, and 5)
broken arrows for financial flow. Shown in figure 4 is the postharvest group at work
and their network map. Pictures of each group’s network map are in appendix 2.
Figure 4. Postharvest group discussing their network map (left) and their
output (right).
A consolidated map of all the stakeholders identified by all the groups in the
workshop is shown in figure 5. The color of the nodes shows the category of
stakeholder that each actor belongs (policy, support service, research, rice supply
or donor). The colors of the arrows show the interaction between two stakeholders
as knowledge flow (blue), input provision (red), policy (black), rice supply (green)
and financial flow (lavender). Thicker gray lines show multiple relationships
between actors. The size of the nodes shows centrality of the actor or that many
other actors are connected to it. More detailed maps are provided in Appendix 4.
11
Figure 5. Consolidated map of the actors in the Thai rice value chain.
Influence, leverage and attitude analysis

Groups went further into the stakeholder analysis by thinking through the level of
influence of each actor, the potential leverage it has to improve resource efficiency
in the value chain and its attitude towards improving resource efficiency. The
shape of the nodes in Figure 5 shows the leverage that the actor has. Actors in
triangle nodes are identified to be those that have high potential leverage to
improve resource efficiency. Actors in square and circle nodes have mid to low and
zero potential, respectively. For lack of time and because participants found it hard
to define some actors’ leverage, they did not mark these actors (in nodes that are
circle-in-a-box shape).
Groups defined each actor’s level of influence in terms of high, medium or low (it
was clarified that this power could be based on capacity, legitimacy, financial
resources, knowledge etc.). Figure 6 shows the same consolidated map of actors,
but the shapes of the nodes are based on the actors’ level of influence. Actors in
rounded square nodes are seen to have high influence in the chain. Actors in
circular nodes are those where groups did not define their level of influence.
12
Figure 6. Composite network map showing influence and attitude of actors.
Groups also defined the attitude of stakeholders towards improving resource

efficiency. The result of their analyses is shown in figure 6. Actors in green nodes
in the map are those seen to be positive, while those in red nodes are negative
towards resource efficiency. Actors in brown nodes are those whose attitudes were
not defined by the groups.
Integration
At the end of the workshop, participants integrated the insights that they gained
from the stakeholder analysis and worked again on the opportunities they identified
on Day 1. After adding and finalizing opportunities, groups also thought through
possible risks if such actions would be done. Finally, each participant was then
given 5 stickers for the weighting exercise. They individually evaluated all the
opportunities from the four groups and put a sticker on the opportunity they think
meets these criteria: 1) high potential for impact (where more can be done with
less efforts and resources), and 2) high potential for making the Thai rice supply
chain sustainable and resource efficient. Participants were told they may put more
than one sticker on an opportunity that they think should be prioritized more. The
final outputs are shown in Table 4. The Priority column show the number of
stickers the opportunity got, higher numbers represent higher priority.
13
Table 4. Identified opportunities from all groups with number of stickers

showing prioritization, who should be doing them, where, and possible risks.
Problem What needs to Priority Who should do it Where Risks
be done (Actors)
(Opportunities)
Researchers Group
Seed center Encourage private 10 Rice Research Centers in Seed
capacity not sector Center, Seed CP produced
enough involvement. center, AS are sold as
Registration Inspectors grain, at low
through quality price.
seed standard / Farmers
certification don’t
believe in
what
government
tells them
3 crops/year Training + Collaboration Show
too much demonstration between public cases?
with farmers to agencies + farmers Case
make the case for (Private sector?) studies?
2 crops (NGO?) Supply
(environmentally (Research?) chain
+ financially) Cooperatives partnerships
Policy must exist / Companies
Orientation (International)
Water release R.I.D

based on 2 crop
system
Poor Green manure: 3 Land Development
knowledge on Free seeds Department (Private
soil To start sector)
management (Sesbania)
Thai GAP 6 Extension/ A supply
Dissemination +cooperative + chain pilot
(adaptive farmer group + project
application) + exporter + Traders
benchmark with importing
countries + local +
international Super
markets
Research on 2 Rice Department Changes in
water + fertilizer + (research) + RRC government
pesticide + etc -> +RSC (public + policy
environmental private Partnership)
impact . Carbon
footprint
14
Problem Opportunity Priority Actor Where Risks

Producers Group
1. Low Increase the opportunity 1 All government Village/s Government
education level for farmers to access institutions, local chool officials need to
agricultural knowledge level especially take continuous
those working with action and
villages integrate
Building participatory 5 Min. of educ; Min Village/s
learning system in of agriculture chool
communities
Support/provide free 1 Min of agriculture, Govern
education for farmers ministry of culture, ment
especially in agricultural gov’t
field
Change perception 1 Government, head Govern
about farmers because of farmers, head of ment+
they think it is not a good village village
job
Creating an open Government, head Village
environment for farmers of farmers, head of
village
2.Taking the Convince farmers to Government, head Village Leaders of each
wrong practices adopt innovations of farmers, head of organization
from past village may take action
generations for a while then
Empowering 2 Government, head Village do nothing
communities of farmers, head of (follow-up)
village
3. Difficulty in Produce local channel 2 Government, head Village
access to related to rice (radio or of farmers, head of
knowledge and TV) village
information
Establish knowledge/ 2 Local Village
information community administration,
center cooperative,
farmer
organization
Public and private 4 Participatory Everyone needs
partnership stakeholders to know well
and understand
__?___
15
Problem Opportunity Priority Actors Where Risks

1. Deteriorated
Soil
Water available Water allocation plan, 3 Government Irrigation Can be done
all the time water fee policy, irrigation, project, LGA, only if they
LGA or local water user cooperate
gov’t authority group
rd
Requirement for Alternative crop for 3 1 LDD, BAAC, Community Farmers do not
additional income crop (soil other financial pay attention
(debt) improvement) institution (not interested)
Support inputs for soil 2
improvement ex.)
stimulators/green
manure crop
2. Don’t want to Incentive measures 3 RD, DOAE, Irrigation Can be done by
increase cost in (ex. loan interest rates, Cooperative, project, government but
soil improvement source of capital) for private sector, community need financial
farmers who practice LDD or land support
soil improvement dev’t dept,
3. Farmers have Manage and transfer Irrigation Community Can be done
no knowledge knowledge to farmers department
Good seed mgt. Promote to farmers to 1 LGA or local Community Farmer will join
insufficient produce their own gov’t authority
good seed seed
Farmers belief Irrigation
and unchanging project,
behavior community
Inefficient water
management for
rice production
4. Excess Improve knowledge 5 RD, DOAE, LGA Central sector, Can be done (if
fertilizer and management and University community they cooperate)
chemical since development for local
farmer lacks community
knowledge
5. Farmers get Organize learning 3 LGA, RD, Farmer learning
used to their process to change DOAE, LDD, through groups
culture and behavior with farmers’ University (informal)
society for a long participation
time
16
Problem Opportunity Priority Actors Where Risks

Postharvest group
Too much rice Diversification/occupatio 2 D of Agric. Community Change of
intensification n after harvesting Extension, D of policy (after
Agric, Local governmen
gov’t t change)
Too much chemical Promote organic practice 10 Rice Community Shortage of
use and knowledge Department, budget and
Purity of seed Certification personnel
Body, Exporter, (for
land research
Development and
Department, knowledge
Ministry of transfer)
commerce,
Royal Irrigation
Department
Management Variety and cultivation 1 Rice RRC &
Unfavorable climate improvement Department Community
Harvesting Government-Private 2 Farmer, quality Farmer field, No

machinery Partnership market, miller, miller, collaboratio
GAP and Organic exporter domestic and n between
world markets governmen
t and
private
Low bargaining Farmer groups 4 Farmer, Miller, Farmers
power of farmers entrepreneur are
reluctant or
unconfident
for new
practices
Fluctuation of rice Reduce input cost 7 Farmer, Miller, Internation
price in world Rice Dept., d of al
market Agric Ext. competitor
(influence
prices)
Thai rice quality 3
development
Rice exporting standard
17
Day 2, Afternoon
As part of the synthesis, the opportunities with most number of stickers (highly
weighted or prioritized) were presented during the plenary discussion. The issues
raised during the final plenary discussion are the following:
• Not discussed: Environment (Ecosystem resilience), Actions of some actors
(farmers, millers)
• Need to clarify links/impacts of organic rice, gap, sustainable production
• Examine / discuss: Attitude of consumers
• How can stakeholders (government institutions) be more aware of
ecosystem and environmental issues
• Conflict: Farmers are aware of environmental issues but want high
production (need to be educated about benefits of ecosystem services)
• Very few farmers do organic production. High cost, low returns, need
incentives.
• Farmers to be educated on negative effects of pesticide use, not only the
benefits of not using them.
• Government institutions & private sector should work more with farmer
associations than try to reach individual farmers.
• We discussed Thai Gap or Organic production. Should we also discuss
other incentives like Labeling (e.g. Resource Efficient rice; Key: where is the
incentive / business case, eco rice?
• Many millers use husk as energy resource
Potential carbon credit points
Incentive: Can sell to other millers or energy producers
In France there are plans that all Products should have carbon footprints
labeled on the packaging.
• Rice production should be included in curriculum from primary school level.
• Some discussion about the correct amount of organic fertilizer.
- Farmers can do anything as long as the price for paddy is OK
• Subsidies: Fertilizer subsidies – how does this influence production. Also
applies for other inputs (free water). GAP targets efficient use of inputs.
• More/stronger linkages between collaborators, how to make it stronger?
• Start with a small group 2 see whether it works (rice exporters association),
vs. start big and move to small (government).
• Suggestion for next phase: Need more input from public sector, private
sector can contribute but can not lead.
18
Next Steps
The workshop report once completed will be circulated to all participants. This will
feed into the scoping studies. UNEP will organize a stakeholder workshop in
September.
Learning-oriented monitoring
Two workshop activities were built in to learn from participants about the workshop
process. At the end of day 1, a go-around activity was done where participants
voiced out what was significant to them from the whole day’s activities. At the end
of day 2, a final workshop evaluation was also done. This documented what
participants liked from the workshop and what they think can be improved.
Notes from the “go-around” exercise

Postharvest group
Priority to farmers was given during discussions
Rice quality was discussed
Cooperation of the participants in groups
IRRI support
Chance to improve Thai rice and make what we think today come true
Information gained from the discussions (new knowledge)
Chance to know many people involved in the value chain
Share from different sectors and learn new things
Different organizations came and he enjoyed the brainstorming
Bring out ideas from different groups on resource efficiency leads to improving farmers
income and rice quality
What was learned can be shared to others
Learned about many problems and that many sectors can come together to do something
Different organizations are represented in this discussion results should be a feedback to
policy
Learned a lot
Producers Group
Impressed with the workshop, enjoyed the activities and the coffee
Different people but they can actually get together to improve Thai Rice
It is not easy to bring different sectors together, but here, they feel free to share their ideas
Next time, bring more farmers into the activity
Learned a lot about different problems in rice; in a participatory approach
19
Notes, cont’d
Research Group
Not often that they have workshops like this where private and public sector meet
Know about problems and the methodology of problem trees to understand more clearly
Easy methodology
Meet with other companies (private sector) and plan collaborative work later on
Know others better
Discussed a lot but so much complexity in the rice sector that we have touched only a
little; there is so much we have to think about: environment, others?
Rice production in Thailand is important to many nations (Asia, Africa etc.); It is
important that when we map stakeholders we don’t think only of “seed to mill” but to
look at the supply chain in it’s global entirety (there are many international players as
well: funding, international input suppliers, etc.)
Suggestions:
Invite other stakeholders: more farmers, pollution control representatives, ministry of
health, etc.
Think outside the box for stakeholder analysis
Think of other key questions regarding the rice value chain
Workshop evaluation:
What I liked about the workshop?

• Good progress (workshop)
• This workshop is the starter for the collaboration between the government and
the farmers and I would like to see the impact for the farmers.
• Our participation of all participants was good.
What could be improved?

• Too short time
• More stakeholders should be there such as consumers association, exporter
association..
• More representatives of farmers groups.
20
Appendix
Appendix 1. Problem trees from all the groups
Private sector
Research group Farmers Nation (upstream /
downstream)
Low Yield, Low

production
Too much fertilizer High density seeding

Low soil fertility (acid Water shortage, dry
leading to pest (too high rate, less Too much weeds
soils) season
outbreaks (insects) panicles)
Problem with in in
Poor quality of seeds
field fertilizer & Poor land Contamination by Irrigation system "not
(weed
management (too preparation harvesting machine enough"
contamination)
much, too little)
Seed center capacity Farmers want to do Machine from

Poor knowledge on 3crops / year need
not enough to supply land preparation in 1 harvesters not
farmers side too much water
farmers week cleaned
Fear of insufficient water in

Too much water used Poor water management
Input providers group cultivation
Don't know about crop water Staff have poor water
requirement for rice management knowledge
Inefficient transfer of
knowledge process
Too much fertilizer and Thought that higher pesticide

pesticide use and wrong use and high fertilize use Cultural, societal values
usage result s in higher yield
High seed rates Lack of knowledge

High cost of production
No knowledge about the

Keep their own seeds
effect of intensification
High rate of seed utilization No confidence on quality and Buy from other providers that
Insufficient rice seeds
(30-40kg/rai) fear of rice pests don't meet the standards
The rice quality does not meet Farmers don't try to change,
standards (pusiness as usual)
Wrong belief of higher
productivity
Many varieties / seeds Water distribution
Deteriorated soil Non-stop rice cultivation
available plan, calendar
Want to grow many times per
Water fee
year
Shift to alternative
Water available at all times
crops
Price incentive, attractiv price
No soil improvments Rented land Knowledge transfer

Production resources
Don't want to add more cost
support
Soil improvements
Inconvenience
substances
Debt
Incentive measure,
e.g. s?? Interest rate
Cooperate, integrate
with BAAE
21
Postharvest Group Low

Poor milled rice quality (can't paddy
compete in world market) price
Farmer's
frequency bargaining rice price
of harvesting power is in world
crop/year time mixing rice poor soil low market
Intensifica Too much Reduce

tion is too unfavorabl chemical input
high e climate Purity of seed use costs
Harvesting Sufficient
Management machine economy
alternate Variety Promote

crop/occu and organic Thai rice
pation Check cultivation practice quality
after weather improvem and developm
harvest report ent knowledge ent
Producers Group The Thai

rice value
chain is
resource
inefficient
Lack of
knowledge
to plant rice
knowledge
level of Following access
education tradition problem
High Farmers
education always Difficulty in
(shift to Low follow mass
other education traditional media
work) level practice transfer
Closed
Poverty society
22
Appendix 2. Network maps drawn by each of the groups.
23
Appendix 3. Parking lot (from day 1)
Problems Opportunities Stakeholders

Multi facetted Market driven interventions: Don’t end at the rice
Need to consider effect mill
on
Micro level (farm),
National,
International,
Other functions than just
generating (national and
global food security)
Not much mention of the - Thai Gap? Global rice value chain
environment in problem
analysis
- Labeling / certification Global stakeholders
Public private partnerships to
promote resource efficiency
in rice chain (Thai)
Theme for Day 2: Think “Outside the box”
24
Appendix 4. Composite maps showing details of interactions between

stakeholders.
A. Composite map showing only knowledge flows (connections in blue arrows*)
*Thick gray arrows are double-headed
B. Composite map showing only input supply flows (connections in red arrows*)
25
C. Composite map showing only policy and governance relationships (black

arrows*)
D. Composite map showing only rice supply flows (green arrows*)
26
E. Composite map showing only financial interactions (lavender arrows*)
27
Appendix 5. List of workshop participants and their contact details.
Name Organization Contact address Telephone Fax e-mail address

Suphanburi
Province 081 9959725,
Mr. Sinsamut Pankate n/a
Agricultural 035 55455
Extension Office
Farmer, 35/1 Tambol Bang Yai,
Mr. Chaiyaporn
Suphanburi Amphoe Bangplama, 081 1782813 n/a
Prompan
Province Suphanburi 72100
Manager,
Pathumthani
Mr. Punthip Pherchao 081 9152575 02 9015915 klongluang@hotmail.com
Cooperative
Promotion Office
Bangsue Chia Meng
The Rice Rice Mill Co., Ltd. 102
Mr. Thanadech
Exporter Soi 081 3397533 thanadechm@hotmail.com
Manathanya
Association Rimthangrodfaibangsue,
Bangsue, BKK 10800
Mr. Supoj Thai Rice Trade

081 8038648 02 6229970
Vongjirattikan Association
81-81/1 Yotha Road,

Mr. Ektichai Thai Rice Mills Talad Noi,
02 2347289 surat_888@hotmail.com
Boonmueang Association Samphanthawong,
Bangkok
29/3 Moo 1, Tambol

Mr. Wanchai Nonthaburi Rice
Klong kwang, Amphoe 081 844 1309 02 597 1093 n/a
Khanthaweeramongkul Mill
Sainoi, Nonthaburi
28
299-301 Songsawad
Mr. Somyot Kwanpipat Chia Tai Co., Ltd. Rd., Samphantawong, 089 1396184 02 2371540 somyot.kh@chiataigroup.com
Bangkok 10100
44/100 Nonthaburi 1
Rd., Tambol
Ms. Vilaiwan Department of
Bangkrasor, Amphoe 02 5076184 vilaiwan@dit.go.th
Nakhoncopta Internal Trade
Muang, Nonthaburi
1100
President, Thai
Mr. Prasit Boonchuey Farmer 081 848 6991 02 597 1476 n/a
Association
Mr. Natthapat Royal Irrigation 087 7174210,

02 2414794
Wongsupaluk Department 02 2414524
Chainat Rice 081 3844389,

Mrs. Prarthana Suksiri 056 431371 SK13prarthana@gmail.com
Seed Center, RD 056 431372
Pathumthani Rice
Amphoe Thanyaburi,
Mrs. Nittaya Ruensook Research Center, 02 5771300
Pathumthani
RD
Ms. Chuanchom Chainat Rice Amphoe Muang,

081 346 2884 056 411733 chuanchom_24@yahoo.com
Deeratsamee Research Center, Chainat 17000
Director, Bureau
of Rice Product 50 Phaholyothin Rd.,
02 5615210,
Dr. Laddawan Kunnoot Development, Chatuchak, Bangkok lkunnoot@yahoo.com
081 9889006
Rice Department 10900
29

Seed
Technologist, 50 Phaholyothin Rd.,
Mr. Samrith 02 5613960,
Bureau of Rice Chatuchak, Bangkok n/a
Chomchalad 086 3066131
Seed, Rice 10900
Department
Bureau of Rice
50 Phaholyothin Rd.,
Ms. Julmanee Production
Chatuchak, Bangkok 089 6868185 02 9406115 julmanee@yahoo.com
Pituncharurnlap Extension, Rice
10900
Department
Bureau of Rice
Production
Mr. Kukiat Soitong Chatuchak, Bangkok 081 8277420 02 940-6116 ksoitong@hotmail.com
Extension, Rice
10900
Department
Bureau of Rice
Ms. Sukanya Kong- Research and 02 5797515,
Chatuchak, Bangkok 02 5797559 sukanyak@hotmail.com
ngoen Development, 085 3859054
10900
Rice Department
Bureau of Rice
Dr. Amara Product 02 5614970,
Chatuchak, Bangkok amara_wiengweera@yahoo.com
Wiengweera Development, 0810772147
10900
Rice Department
Bureau of Rice
Ms. Rossakon Keosa- Policy and 02 5613624,
Chatuchak, Bangkok khunrossa@yahoo.com
ard Strategy, Rice 089 0713040
10900
Department
Bureau of Rice
Dr. Tawee Research and
Chatuchak, Bangkok 085 1888060 kalayap@hotmail.com
Kupkanchanakul Development,
10900
Rice Department
Water
Engineering &
Asian Institute of
Dr. Sylvain Perret Management, 082 444 0831 sylvain@ait.ac.th
Technology (AIT)
Natural Resource
Management
30
AIT
Mr. Satesh Dhondu
Rahatwal 089 7980619 Satesh.Dhondu.Rahatwal@ait.ac.th
Mr. Rungrote Yarnsiri AIT Rungrote.Yarnsiri@ait.ac.th
Dr. James Lomax UNEP James.Lomax@unep.org
DAPO Box 7777, Metro

Mr. Martin Gummert IRRI m.gummert@cgiar.org
Manila, Philippines

Ms. Rica Joy Flor IRRI r.flor@cgiar.org
Manila, Philippines

Dr. Bhagirat Chauhan IRRI b.chauhan@cgiar.org
Manila, Philippines
31

UNEP Final Report: Establishing Sustainable, Resource Efficient Agri-Food Supply Chains

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UNEP Final Report: Establishing Sustainable, Resource Efficient Agri-Food Supply Chains

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Establishing sustainable, resource efficient agri-food supply chains

(IRRI Ref. No.: DPPC2010 22)

Sub-study 1: Sukanya Kong-ngoen and Bhagirath Chauhan

2. Sub Study 1: Resource efficiency in the Central Plain: Desk study

Issue Proposed measures Impact on resource efficiency Levers

• Increase in land use efficiency

3. Sub-study II: Post harvest efficiency

4. Sub-study III: Inventory of ecosystem services

The following recommendations arose from this inventory of ES:

5. Sub-study IV: Actor analysis and identifications of levers

6. Summary of Recommendations for improving resource efficiencies

Lever Available Required partnerships Effect on resource

7.2.1 Research .............................................................................................................................................................................. 41

1 Background information .............................................................................................................2

1.1 Land use

1.2 Rice management recommendations

1.2.1 Thai GAP and Thai RiceCheck

Keycheck 9. Crop harvest at optimum time.

A national committee consisting of 19 members (composed of different stakeholders) developed

1.2.2 Thai Rice Knowledge Bank

Box 1: Opening page of the Thai Rice Knowledge Bank.

1.3 Crop productivity

Rice production ('000 t)

1.4 Soil loss

Average yield (kg/ha) 5,120 4,380 4,220 3,760 2,930 2,430

2.1 Fertilizer use

2.2 Pesticide use

2.3 Energy use

Energy outputs (MJ/ha)

2.5 Labour and capital inputs

Table 16. Socioeconomic characteristics of sample farms in 1999.

Bouman et al (2006) summarized the expectations of water management to reduce greenhouse

Groundwater: Groundwater in Thailand is a source of drinking water within households and

6. Best Management Practices and options to improve resource

6.2 ThaiGAP and Ricecheck

Attanandana, T., Verapattananirund, P., Kongton, S., Pholwatana, A. and Boonsomphoppan, B.

Figure 1: Central Thailand comprising of twenty-six provinces.

Figure 3: Post-harvest system

2. Description of the postproduction value chain and main actors

Figure 5 shows physical flow of rice as paddy from

2.2. Thai rice

Rice variety Photo 2007 2008 2009

2.3. Rice Market Structure

Composition of milled rice exports

70% Phatumthani head rice

2.4. Value chain structure and governance

2.5. Key Postproduction Stakeholders

Processing (postharvest) and processors organizations

Structure of the rice milling industry

Figure 7 Number of rice mill by region and category, 2004.

Overcapacity of the industry

3. Postharvest issues, losses and efficiency gaps

Table 3: Overview on drying systems

Storage system Use in Central Typical quantitative Remarks

Thailand Typical milling recoveries, averages from SE Asia

3.2. Products from rice grains

3.3. Rice by-products

4. Effect of production inefficiencies on postproduction

5. Comparison with other rice producing regions

6. Potential other use of rice and by products

As discussed above only a small

6.5. Innovative new products

From Product Value Addition Market Potential for