Thread: Rubber growers told to brace for severe drought

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) – The Rubber Authority of Thailand has warned rubber growers to ready themselves for a severe drought.

The Rubber Authority of Thailand has suggested that rubber planters prepare contingency measures to cope with water shortages, which are expected to grip the country in a month.

Owners of young rubber trees are advised to weed their plantations, as well as use the weeds to cover their tree’s stems to maintain moisture.

Other ways to safeguard their rubber plantations include growing water-rich plants such as bananas or pineapples, as well as trimming branches to reduce the effect of wind.

Rubber growers who need advice on plantation care can contact local offices of the Rubber Authority of Thailand countrywide.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en...N5902190010001

As if the Rubber farmers ain't got enough problem's with the prices nose diving , it would appear that for some in the arrid regions the light at the end of the tunnel is farther away than ever .

Is there a water management hotline to call?

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Is there a water management hotline to call?

If any one knows Rick it will be Jim Collister in the Rubber farming thread of what he says the water table in his area is quite high so thankfully he has no problems however as we all know it varies from area to area .

Originally Posted by misskit

Rubber growers told to brace for severe drought

Why just the rubber farmers? A drought affects everyone, doesn't it?

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by misskit

Rubber growers told to brace for severe drought

Why just the rubber farmers? A drought affects everyone, doesn't it?

Yeah Good point , I suppose the rice farmers here have a bit of breathing space though

No sympathy for the rubber guys crying drought, rubber, like palm oil needs water, either rain or ground water.
There are areas which get much higher rain fall and are not dependent on the monsoon rains alone.

Cheap land and free trees allowed people to plant in areas not suitable for rubber, most of Issan is just too dry for much of the year.
These marginal areas can be profitable, as long as prices are high, but low out put and low prices mean, more work then money.

Around my area, too much rain is a bigger problem, then too little, mountains and jungle [rain forest] have there own sub climate, even today it's slightly overcast and we could get some rain tonight.

10 KM inland from me, away from the mountains, it looks like the Australian outback, bone dry and rock hard ground, yet there are rubber plantations as far as Det Udom.

Mike [thaiguzzi] will have a better idea of conditions along the Mekong, but my area, rubber is only good along the Cambodia, Lao borders.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

No sympathy for the rubber guys crying drought, rubber, like palm oil needs water, either rain or ground water.
There are areas which get much higher rain fall and are not dependent on the monsoon rains alone.

Cheap land and free trees allowed people to plant in areas not suitable for rubber, most of Issan is just too dry for much of the year.
These marginal areas can be profitable, as long as prices are high, but low out put and low prices mean, more work then money.

Around my area, too much rain is a bigger problem, then too little, mountains and jungle [rain forest] have there own sub climate, even today it's slightly overcast and we could get some rain tonight.

10 KM inland from me, away from the mountains, it looks like the Australian outback, bone dry and rock hard ground, yet there are rubber plantations as far as Det Udom.

Mike [thaiguzzi] will have a better idea of conditions along the Mekong, but my area, rubber is only good along the Cambodia, Lao borders.

Yeah Jim thanks for your post, I kinda knew you would spell it out with one of your usual down to earth no bullshit replys

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by jamescollister

No sympathy for the rubber guys crying drought, rubber, like palm oil needs water, either rain or ground water.
There are areas which get much higher rain fall and are not dependent on the monsoon rains alone.

Cheap land and free trees allowed people to plant in areas not suitable for rubber, most of Issan is just too dry for much of the year.
These marginal areas can be profitable, as long as prices are high, but low out put and low prices mean, more work then money.

Around my area, too much rain is a bigger problem, then too little, mountains and jungle [rain forest] have there own sub climate, even today it's slightly overcast and we could get some rain tonight.

10 KM inland from me, away from the mountains, it looks like the Australian outback, bone dry and rock hard ground, yet there are rubber plantations as far as Det Udom.

Mike [thaiguzzi] will have a better idea of conditions along the Mekong, but my area, rubber is only good along the Cambodia, Lao borders.

Yeah Jim thanks for your post, I kinda knew you would spell it out with one of your usual down to earth no bullshit replys

Yeah - he usually comes across this way.
Comfortably appreciated for the most part.

The bigger picture:

Extreme drought threatens Thailand?s political stability | Global Risk Insights

' Furthermore, Chan-ocha heads the National Water Board, whose water restrictions have caused much hardship for struggling farmers. Consequently, discontent with the Board’s decisions !an be aimed directly at the prime minister. '

Originally Posted by crepitas

The bigger picture:

Extreme drought threatens Thailand?s political stability | Global Risk Insights

' Furthermore, Chan-ocha heads the National Water Board, whose water restrictions have caused much hardship for struggling farmers. Consequently, discontent with the Board’s decisions !an be aimed directly at the prime minister. '

Good article ,it just goes to show the depth of the problem .

55555 some light reading re drought and rubber trees:

https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00719009/document.

Is there a water management hotline to call?

just dial SONGKHRAN 999

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Originally Posted by misskit

Rubber growers told to brace for severe drought

Why just the rubber farmers? A drought affects everyone, doesn't it?

yes but the rubber guys have a more flexible outlook.