Topic Reading-Vol.2665-7/29/2019

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Topic Reading-Vol.2665-7/29/2019

英語で世界を知ろう！Topic Reading

2019/07/29 Topic Reading-Vol.2665-7/29/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Will drones transform farmers’ lives in Thailand?

Agriculture is the key industry in Thailand, both for economy and elections. It represents 8.5% of the national GDP and one-third of the workforce. No wonder some politicians try to buy votes by pledging support for farmers by government subsidies and tax incentives, especially to rice farmers. Indeed, rice production represents about 13% of all farm production and nearly 40% of Thai’s farmers, or 16 million.

Rice farming is both water and labor-intensive especially in Thailand where farmers can harvest three rice crops a year, thanks to the tropical climate and abundant water. But to get three crops a year, those rice farmers have to work hard year-round. One of the labor-intensive jobs is to spray fields with pesticides and fertilizers. Farmers carry a tank full of pesticides, walk around the rice paddies spraying the harmful chemical substance all day long.

Now drones can do this much more efficiently from the air. They can cover much larger space without break but with just battery charges. All those farmers have to is to program the area by their smartphones, fill the tank with pesticide, and charge the battery. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it? The question is if they can afford it.

Enjoy reading the article and learn what can drone do in help rice farmers.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/03/asia/bug-away-thailand-drones-intl/index.html

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英語で世界を知ろう！Topic Reading