[Hlennisal]

Delawang,

Nice story about the "modern scarecrow" technique. That is so innovative! Also interesting what you've said about liquid fertilizer.

Don't get sensitive about the profit of selling part. Business is not a problem just as long as it is conducted in a fair manner. Of course, the way that businesses have been run in the west, or rather let's say, with the beginning of mercantalism, it has been excessively extractive. I hate to keep saying that in Thailand there are all these good things, because I'm very well aware of the negative things going on as well. However, I want to draw your attention to alternative business models developed in Thailand especially related to farming and innovative lower-cost alternative technologies. Some examples that will direct you to uncovering this world are: the Lemon Farm group of retail stores for farmer's products, Chamlong's School for Leaders which gathered a group of like-minded people who are vegetarian and organic producers, Ban Gud Choom's community currency initiative, the nationwide micro credit programs, the King's mother crop-substitution project based in Chiang Mai.

OK, OK, I can go on and on, but I better stop before you get turned off. I guess the point I want to get across is that business can be a socially-oriented process.

If it's within your power to initiate this internet-based direct sales and exportation of rice for Thai farmers, it would be such a great contribution! (Myself, I don't have enough knowledge about internet technology, nor rice farming.)

Part of the biggest problem with exporting rice has been packing (so that the rice doesn't deteriorate), and hygiene restrictions of many importing countries. Thai rice was only allowed into Mexico after a method was negotiated for them to feel comfortable that they won't be getting weavles from Thailand since that pest doesn't exist in their country. So you see, it's not only economics of production, its also the "politics of selling rice".

Hmm, but now that you've got me rethinking the issue, in this age it could well be a "management of information" issue!

BTW, the new nickname you gave me is a bit unflattering. No offense taken, but I wouldn't be happy to have it catch as a meme. So maybe you can call me by my real nickname: "Nui"?! (Chucks, the multiple identities the internet gives us.)

See ya later,
Nui.