The Green Revolution that did more harm than good
Let me first clarify that the intention of this column is not to promote or criticise the documentary "Food Inc", which was released four years ago. It is just that I only recently got around to watching the film and discovered that the subject matter i
The Prayut Chan-o-cha administration is contending with some serious agriculture-related problems, and the dilemmas in the United States that the film highlighted are much like the problems Thai farmers are suffering now.
It is undeniable that farming, which once used to be simple, has now developed into a huge industry.
“Food Inc” raises a very pertinent question: are people aware of where the food they eat comes from and how it was processed?
After World War II, raising chickens, pigs and cattle became industrialised. Nature has been tampered with to provide higher yields, leading to so-called “contract farming” led by huge corporations who control the industry. This concept of contract farming first began in the United States, and not so long ago, many of these behemoth corporations entered Thailand – significantly changing the lives of Thai farmers.
Sadly, many of these farmers are now drowning in their tears and some have even ended their lives after being left penniless by this cycle of big agro business.
“Food Inc” reveals how this cycle of contract farming run by mammoth corporations changed the lives of American farmers. It sheds light on the predatory nature of capitalist groups who exploit farmers and consumers for the sake of maximum profit, not to mention the illnesses that come with this mode of farming.
Not everything that the film exposes has become a reality in Thailand yet, but some things have already arrived. The Kingdom embraced the so-called Green Revolution five decades ago as part of the first National Social and Economic Development Plan. This “transformation” changed irrigation methods, brought new technology to farming, food processing and encouraged farmers to adopt a single-crop scheme, which made them dependent on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
The same revolution was applied to marine farming. Eventually, Thailand became the world’s No 1 rice exporter and a leading exporter of shrimp and chicken meat, bringing in lots of revenue over the decades.
However, many hidden problems are now emerging from this Green Revolution, such as degradation of soil, contamination of water sources, chemical-tainted food, drastic reduction in underground water resources and huge debts incurred by farmers due to their dependency on chemical-intensive farming.
The cost of chemical-intensive farming is high and the yield is only big in the initial stages. Crops eventually end up facing greater threats, as pests become resistant to chemical pesticide.
Prayut and related ministries are now working on introducing measures to tackle agricultural problems and find ways to help assist farmers.
Hopefully they will pay close attention to all aspects of the industry, to recognise Thailand’s missteps and consider the option of organic farming – after all organic produce fetches a higher price, is safer for farmers and environmentally more sustainable.
