The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) is advancing low-carbon rice production across 10 million rai of land in the Chao Phraya Basin to address greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable agriculture. Rice cultivation, which accounts for over 40% of emissions in Thailand’s agricultural sector, is being transformed through the wet-dry crop rotation method. Piloted with 3,300 farmers in 22 provinces, the approach optimizes water use and reduces methane emissions by more than 30%.


The wet-dry rotation system also lowers fuel costs for water pumps by 30% and conserves up to 50% of water compared to traditional flooding methods. To address the issue of rice straw disposal, the ministry is promoting the use of microorganisms for decomposition, reducing reliance on burning practices. Researchers at the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research have developed “BioD I TISTR” microbial strains, which decompose straw within 5 to 10 days, cutting chemical fertilizer use by 20% and encouraging farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.


The ministry has also implemented the 3R Model to minimize agricultural burning, focusing on encouraging sustainable farming behaviors, transitioning to high-value crops, and replacing off-season rice farming with alternatives such as corn or legumes.

NBT CONNEXT - MOAC Advances Low-Carbon Rice Farming