Agriculture Minister Narumon Announces Sufficient Water Supply for Dry Season Rice Cultivation Nationwide.

Bangkok: In a significant development for the agricultural sector, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, announced that this year's water supply is adequate for dry season rice cultivation across Thailand, covering over 10 million rai. This marks an increase of 1.2 million rai compared to the previous year, providing a boost to farmers' incomes. According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Narumon outlined a comprehensive water management plan for the 2024/2025 crop year, managed by the Royal Irrigation Department. This plan, which runs from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, involves the efficient distribution of water from various reservoirs across the country. As of November 1, 2024, the total water volume available is 44,250 million cubic meters, an increase of 3,863 million cubic meters from the previous year. The plan aims to allocate 29,170 million cubic meters for the rainy season of 2025 and reserves an additional 15,080 million cubic meters for essential activities like c onsumption, ecosystem maintenance, agriculture, and industry. The water management efforts have already seen the allocation of 991 million cubic meters from November 1-12, 2024, and the total storage volume currently stands at 63,908 million cubic meters. By May 1, 2025, it is projected that there will be 44,032 million cubic meters in storage, ensuring sufficient supply for agricultural activities throughout the dry season. The Royal Irrigation Department has effectively managed water resources, enabling continuous cultivation of dry season rice in certain areas. This early start, initiated before November 1, 2024, has resulted in an increase of approximately 0.55 million rai from the previous year. The Ministry is also expediting the drainage of water from the Chao Phraya River basin, allowing farmers to commence dry season rice planting earlier, thus optimizing the agricultural calendar. Additionally, Mrs. Narumon announced that the Cabinet has approved a budget for the fiscal year 2025, allocating fund s for the rehabilitation of farmers affected by the 2024 floods. The budget includes projects aimed at enhancing rice production efficiency, with preparations underway for the upcoming planting season. Despite the ample water supply, farmers and the public are urged to use water prudently to ensure sustainability. In specific regions such as the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and northern basins, water volumes have increased significantly from the previous year. Notably, the Chao Phraya River Basin supports a second-season rice planting area of 6.47 million rai, while the Mae Klong River Basin can accommodate planting on approximately 0.84 million rai. However, the Northeast region faces challenges due to lower rainfall, although measures are in place to allocate water effectively to support cultivation. The Ministry's proactive approach includes eight integrated measures to tackle potential drought conditions, approved by the National Water Resources Committee. These measures encompass risk area forecasting, ensu ring water security, enhancing water efficiency, and increasing public awareness. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of drought on farmers and the broader community, in line with government policy.