Royal Ploughing Ceremony bodes well for farmers

AT the Royal Ploughing Ceremony yesterday, it was predicted this year the country will enjoy adequate water supplies, bountiful crops, greater transportation convenience and thriving trade with foreign nations. 

The ceremony, carried out in line with ancient traditions, took place at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang in the morning. 

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha and HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, presided over the ceremony. 

Agriculture Ministry permanent secretary Teerapat Prayurasiddhi, who served as Phraya Raekna during the ceremony, chose a piece of fabric from a selection of various lengths. His choice came with the prediction of adequate water supplies, good yields from paddy fields and an abundance of food.

Two sacred bulls ate rice seeds, corn, sesame seeds and grass, and drank liquor and water from a variety of choices – an act that was seen as a bright forecast for water supplies, crops, transportation convenience, foreign trade and, as such, the economy. 

A sizeable volume of rice seeds used during the ceremony will be put into packets and given to farmers via various provincial authorities. These rice seeds are considered auspicious. 

The Rice Department will use the rice seeds to produce more for distribution. 

After the ceremony ended, people rushed to collect rice seeds that were thrown on the ground during the ceremony. 

The Royal Ploughing Day is an important day for farmers. To mark it, many farmers began working on their land. 

In Uttaradit province, Pramuan Tangrod said she had offered an apology to the Rice Goddess and the Mother Earth Goddess and asked for their blessings on Royal Ploughing Day.

Placed on the ridge of her farm were flowers, candles and incense sticks.

Pramuan’s faith has not wavered, even after struggling with drought for the past six months. 

“I’ve adjusted my farm to grow corn and pea plants instead because they use less water than rice,” she said.

Pramuan said she expected the country’s agricultural sector to improve. 

“After offering the apology to the deities, I feel the coming year will bring abundant crops,” she said. 

In Nakhon Ratchasima province, many farmers planted cassava on their farms yesterday to mark Royal Ploughing Day and hoped for bountiful crops. 

In Lop Buri province, rice farmers started working paddy fields yesterday for the same reason. 

“If you grow rice on such an auspicious day, your rice plants will be free from pests and all other harm,” a farmer said. 

Most local farmers believe the prediction of an end to water shortages will come to fruition.