Wean farmers off chemicalsThe Prayut Chan-o-cha government must prevent attempts by the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry to revoke the ban on farmers using extremely toxic substances on their crops. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hosted a press conference to denounce Mr Chalermchai's decision to ask the committee to consider lifting the chemicals ban. After the heavy dependence on these chemicals to grow food, it won't be easy for local farmers to opt for safer cultivation methods. Soft loans, weed-controlling farm machinery that does not use toxic chemicals and educational campaigns that would free farmers from chemicals are among the steps that need to be taken. The Agriculture Ministry has done little to wean farmers off these substances and that's a shameful dereliction of duty.

Source: Bangkok Post September 01, 2020 23:26 UTC