Chainat: Farmers in several provinces are taking advantage of the 'Planting Ceremony Day' to commence their rice sowing activities, marking the start of the planting season.
According to Thai News Agency, in Chainat Province, farmers are hastily pumping water into their rice fields in preparation for plowing and sowing, despite limited water levels in some irrigation canals. Those with adequate water supply or previously prepared fields are sowing rice seeds on this auspicious day, which is believed to ensure good growth. Farmers hope for a sufficient water supply throughout the year and an increase in paddy rice prices, which have dropped significantly from over ten thousand baht per ton to 6,000-7,000 baht, and at times, as low as 5,000 baht.
In Nong Samet Subdistrict, Mueang Trat District, farmers are using tractors to prepare the soil for the 2025 rice-planting season, aligning with the beliefs associated with the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. They are adopting royal initiatives aimed at reducing rice production costs. The variety being sown is the fragrant provincial rice, or jasmine rice 105, favored by consumers.
Similarly, in Ban Rong Mak Noi, Tambon Khlanta, Amphoe Mueang, Buriram Province, farmers are also marking the Royal Ploughing Ceremony as the beginning of their rice planting season by sowing jasmine rice seeds, Khao Khao 105. Despite dry ground and hot, humid conditions, they maintain that starting on this day will lead to timely rain and abundant yields. Farmers are appealing to the government to support paddy rice prices, ensuring they remain above 17 baht per kilogram to cover the increasing costs of fertilizer, seeds, and other planting expenses.
