Thailand's agriculture can be characterized by a rainfed traditional production system. More than 80% of the total cultivated land area has been under cropping risk due to drought hazards. Despite continuous cropping for generations, fertilizers and appropriate conservation measures have seldom been used by the farmers. Consequently, there has been a reduction of crop yields due to mineral stress, water stress and erosion hazard. These three major soil constraints and their importance in the agricultural development of Thailand are outlined. Methods of improvement with emphasis placed on low-input technology and sustainable crop production are reviewed.
To obtain a clear picture of the potential for increased production, land use and soils of Thailand are also described.