Wonderful Crops of Thailand

A good friend, Dr. Samran Sombatpanit, Past President of the World Association for Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), has a wonderful facebook wall. He posts photos of some great crops of Thailand as well as from other countries. I met Doc Samran in late May 2008, he hosted me and my family in Bangkok and toured us in some wonderful places north of Bangkok.

This papaya is in a farm in Thailand, but the seeds were from China. Low lying fruits and vegetables are not only easy to harvest, but are also less prone to fall down during storms or strong wind.The farm should be enclosed with fence though, as thieves will be tempted to pick these fruits anytime.

Below are other crops from Doc Samran's facebook wall. Or from his friends' photos in facebook.

Another variety of papaya.

Efficient corporate farming. Notice the absence of weeds and the drip irrigation technology.

Giant jackfruit or "langka", should be between 15-20 kilos.

Wonderful edible mushrooms

Big rounded eggplant or "talong"

Below, notice the platic cover on the ground. It has several uses, (a) retain mousture, reduce evaporation, (b) control weeds and competing grasses, (c) control erosion during heavy rains.

Green pepper.

Wonderful, plentiful chili.

Cucumber or "pipino"

Wow! Lots of jackfruits.

Tomatoes, lots of them.

Giant bamboo shoots. "Thailand bamboo".

Nice, cool.

With crops like these and the modern science behind them, increasing food production for the rising population of the world should not be a big problem.

Meanwhile, agriculturists and agri-businessmen may be interested to attend this conference in Thailand.

See also Meeting Dr. Samran Sombatpanit of WASWC, June 17, 2008