Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and ... - GFDRR

Table 82: Profile of rice
farmers interviewed
Province
Own land
Own and rent land
Landless (rent only)
Lop Buri - (Satawaew Community)
Uthai Thani - (Thasoong Community)
Nakhon Sawan - (Thabkrit Community)
50%
10%
40%
40%
10%
25%
10%
80%
35%
A similar pattern of extensive negative impact on livelihoods was observed for other
crops 156 and for fish farming. Tree crop farmers in particular have been severely
affected and consider themselves to have been drastically impoverished by the
flooding. 157 Prior to the floods, tree crop farmers enjoyed relative financial security.
Their crops require a significant level of initial investment due to the cost of young plants,
fertilizers and pesticides and to the relatively long time required for trees to mature.
However, these crops provide high return to the initial investment, with produce in high
demand. This can be illustrated through some of the interviews conducted by the
research team with guava farmers and orchard owners. One of the guava farmers
interviewed in Uthai Thani, reported a daily income of around THB 1,000 during the
guava season with another in the same line of activity reporting a steady monthly income
of THB 7,000–8,000. With extensive damage to crops tree crop farmers have now lost
the market for their products , in particular the opportunity to sell in the wholesale Talad
Tai market. 158 Any replanting of similar species will require a few years before the yield
of any produce. In addition, tree crop farmers were not engaged in other income generation
activities and do not currently possess the skills that would enable them to easily find
alternative sources of income. Out of the nine rural communities visited, farmers from
seven communities indicated that they would attempt to shift to other agricultural activities
(growing rice or vegetables, which requires smaller investments but which produces yields
more rapidly). In the other two communities, farmers were hesitant to replant and re-invest
due to the risk associated with shifting to other types of agricultural activities and concerns
over cyclical flooding.
In the case of fish farming, small-scale growers are not usually registered with the Fisheries
Department, as they are concerned over the restrictions or controls that may be imposed.
The majority, who operate illegally, will therefore not be able to claim any compensation
for losses. Fish is usually raised in cages or in ponds taking up to four months to grow
before being sold. Better priced local species such as Giant Gourami are also raised
along river banks and have a longer growth period (a year and a half). Both types of
produce have suffered heavy damage. Strong currents have destroyed fish cages and
ponds and polluted flood water (containing chemicals from farming) is the other main
reason for the losses incurred. 159
156 The most commonly observed crops in these areas included fruit (mangoes, santols, guavas, jackfruit, limes) as well
as vegetables and herbs such as acacia pennata (cha-om) and basil, lemon grass, eggplant, kale, morning glory. These
have a shorter production cycle and are grown for sale and additional income as well as household consumption.
157 All the tree crop farmers interviewed during the SIA reported owning their own land. In addition, there were no significant
reports of loss of equipment for these farmers.
158 This whole sale market purchases agricultural produce nation-wide. The large amounts of goods usually bought from
flood affected provinces are already being sourced from other areas with new suppliers identified.
159 For those growing larger and more profitable species of fish lost income from potential sales of the pre-flood fish stocks
was estimated to be around THB 70,000.
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