2 JUNE 1998. THAILAND: DROUGHT
Steven Martin of Si Sa Ket, Agence France Presse reports
in the Bangkok Post that drought and the economic crisis are devastating
Northeastern Thai rice farmers. The ENSO-lined drought, the worst in four
decades, is removing the agricultural safety net needed as the unemployed
begin to return to their villages from the cities. Agricultural officials
are encouraging farmers to switch to crops requiring less water. Over 70%
of the farmers depend on rains. Sixty percent of the crop has been damaged
by the drought. Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter.-- VIA Jamil
Kazmi VIA <owner-mideastenviro@envirolink.org>
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1997 El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO 97-98)