About 200,000 rai of rice fields in Korat affected by drought
Rice plants in some 200,000 rai (32,000 hectares) of fields in Nakhon Ratchasima’s eight districts are dying due to the lack of water after months without rain, an agricultural official said on Tuesday.
Thirasak Butthanu, chief of Prathai district agricultural office, said the last rain over the rice fields came in June.
The eight districts are Prathai, Bua Yai, None Daeng, Sida, Bua Lai, Ban Luam, Kaeng Sanam Nang and Muang.
According to Thirasak, the Bua Yai and Prathai have been the hardest hit.
He said the eight districts have 12,861 registered rice farmers planting rice on 239,383 rai of land.
About 70 to 80 per cent of the registered paddy fields have been hit with drought.
He said after the end of the rainy season, local agricultural offices will survey the exact extent of the damage to compensate farmers at Bt1,113 per rai to a maximum of 30 rai for each family.
RELATED