Bangkok: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is closely monitoring the fertilizer situation following the potential impact of the Middle East conflict on the global chemical fertilizer market. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry has instructed affiliated agencies to oversee the quality of fertilizers domestically, while continuing to promote the correct and scientifically sound use of fertilizers and supporting the integrated use of organic and bio-fertilizers to mitigate the cost impact on farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Winairoj Sapsongsook, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed that due to the escalating violence in the Middle East, which has raised concerns among farmers regarding the quantity and price of fertilizers needed for the upcoming planting season, he has instructed the Department of Agriculture to collect data and assess the situation. He also stressed the importance of overseeing and controlling fertilizer quality within the country to ensure that fertilizers sold in the market meet quality standards and prevent the sale of substandard fertilizers, which could cause damage and increase costs for farmers.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture stated that chemical fertilizers are a crucial production factor in the agricultural sector, accounting for approximately 20 percent of production costs. Meanwhile, Thailand imports 98 percent of its fertilizers, valued at approximately 60 billion baht annually. This makes the agricultural sector highly vulnerable to fluctuations in global fertilizer prices.
In terms of cost reduction, the Ministry of Agriculture promotes efficient fertilizer use among farmers based on the “4 Right” principles: the right type or formula, the right rate, the right time, and the right method. This involves selecting fertilizers appropriate to the soil conditions and crop needs, as well as promoting the use of integrated fertilizers, including chemical, organic, and bio-fertilizers, based on soil analysis, to reduce overuse and increase production efficiency.
The Department of Agricultural Extension has promoted the use of fertilizers according to these principles through Community Soil and Fertilizer Management Centers (CSFM) covering all 77 provinces. This has resulted in tangible improvements for member farmers, enabling them to use fertilizers based on soil analysis, increase yields, and reduce fertilizer costs. By 2025, the department has promoted the production of over 3.32 million tons of organic fertilizers and organic materials, which were used on over 3.02 million rai of agricultural land.
Meanwhile, the Department of Land Development is promoting the use of fertilizers based on soil analysis to help farmers understand the potential of their local soil and select appropriate fertilizer formulas and rates. Soil analysis services are available through various channels, including simple soil test kits (LDD Test Kits) provided by volunteer soil experts, regional Land Development Offices nationwide, and 13 soil analysis laboratories via the Department of Land Development’s e-Service system for agricultural soil testing.
Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture has developed alternative technologies and production factors to help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, such as biofertilizers, PGPR, and biological plant disease control products. These improve the efficiency of nutrient absorption by plants, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and help increase yields in the long term.
Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has also developed “milk amino fertilizer,” a low-cost and effective alternative fertilizer. In addition to providing nutrients to plants, it also offers another approach to addressing the problem of raw milk surplus in the market. It is currently in the process of obtaining registration and certification from the Department of Agriculture.
Regarding the control of fertilizer prices in the country, the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, continuously monitors and regulates prices. This is done in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture’s approach of promoting the appropriate and scientifically sound use of fertilizers, promoting organic and bio-fertilizers alongside chemical fertilizers, and developing alternative technologies. This will help mitigate the impact of fluctuations in global fertilizer prices and enable farmers to manage production costs efficiently in the long term.