Many people are puzzled that Thai rice farmers remain poor, despite Thai rice being in high demand globally and creating wealth for many rice millers, traders and exporters.
Kornchawan Somphakdee was born in Roi Et, a province located in the middle of Thung Kula Rong Hai (fields of the crying Kula), a dry plateau. This query drove her to find ways to raise her fellow farmers’ income.
Historically, the Thung Kula Rong Hai region suffered desert-like conditions during the dry season and flooding during the rainy season. Soils were plagued by salinity. The area has since been reclaimed and today has become a well-known premium rice-producing area of Thailand.
The area covers about 2 million rai of land and 13 districts in five provinces: Surin, Maha…
