In Thailand, innovative microorganisms are being used to combat slash-and-burn agriculture in rice paddies.

IN BRIEF

Issue : THE burn stubble aggravates the air quality seasonal work in Thailand; the repression Government tensions are rising with farmers. Solution : of the microorganisms (product Soil Digest) developed locally, composed of strains of Bacillus. Effects observed : has Chiang Raisofter soils, yields rising and falling needs fertilizer according to pilot rice farmers. Speed : the straw decomposes into 5–7 days instead of approximately 30 days without treatment. Adoption :~2,000 farmers would use the method on ~100,000 provincial farms; the state seeks to provide free access but stocks are limited. Practical cost example of spraying by drone billed ~1,200 baht per farmer. climate co-benefit Preliminary tests indicate a possible reduction in methane of at least 20%. Boundaries : a promising approach but requires systemic change — conditional aid, access to machines and training — because there is no no single solution.

Faced with the scourge of burn which degrade each year the air quality In Thailand, farmers and researchers are betting on microorganisms to transform straw residues into organic resources rather than by burning them. Products like Soil Digestformulated from strains of Bacillusaccelerate decomposition — a few days instead of a month — and improve the structure of the groundreduce the need for fertilizer and can increase yieldsExperienced in provinces such as Chiang RaiThese treatments are sometimes applied by dronesHowever, their widespread adoption raises issues of cost, supply, and training. The local development of these solutions, driven by national researchers, illustrates a technological approach that nevertheless requires scaling up and support to become widespread.

Summary: Faced with winter pollution caused in part by the burn rice stubble, Thai farmers are experimenting with microbial solutions which accelerate straw decomposition, improve soil structure, and reduce the need for fertilizers. Developed locally, the formulation known as Soil Digest — based on strains of Bacillus — is being tested in provinces such as Chiang Rai and Pathum Thani. While initial feedback suggests yield gains and reduced emissions, the widespread adoption of these practices raises issues of cost, supply, and support for operators.

The problem of slash-and-burn agriculture and the urgent need for an alternative

Every year, between January and April, Thailand experiences a decline in air quality due to a combination of agricultural fires, forest fires, industrial emissions, and transboundary pollution. This period of toxic smog prompts authorities to intensify restrictions, as demonstrated by the actions taken in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, where even aerial resources are deployed to try to mitigate the pollution.

For many rice farmers, the burn This remains the quickest and least expensive method for preparing the field between sowings: the straw is burned, the residues disappear, and the field is ready for plowing. Banning or cracking down on these practices therefore creates social tensions, as some farmers feel they lack accessible alternatives suited to their means.

Local reports and analyses describe the burning season and its consequences for public health and the rural economy; a summary can be found here and there.

Farmers who are changing their methods

In Chiang Rai, a farming couple stopped burning their stubble after adopting a microbial treatment. They noted better aerated soil, more vigorous rice growth, and reduced fertilizer costs in the long run. These observations, shared by other farmers, illustrate the practical appeal of organic solutions when they deliver on their promises in the field.

In the province, local authorities are now encouraging the testing of these products: out of 100,000 rice farmers, around 2,000 have already tested the method, a sign of an encouraging start but still very limited in view of the size of the territory and the number of farms.

Concrete examples of adoption and costs

Further inland, farmers are using drones to spray the product onto stubble, which speeds up application. One farmer reported spending around 1,200 baht on drone rental and spraying, an initial cost that can be seen as an investment if soil regeneration leads to a reduction in fertilizer use in the medium term.

Soil Digest: a locally developed microbial solution

Designed by a Thai researcher, the product is marketed under the name of Soil Digest rests on several strains of Bacillus local. These microorganisms decompose rice straw much faster than natural decomposition: a process that took a month without help is reduced to a window of a few days after treatment.

The developer, based near industrial areas of organic production, isolated strains adapted to local conditions, arguing that local biology performs better in these ecosystems. Initial tests report yield increases of up to 20% on some plots and a significant reduction in emissions. methane — a greenhouse gas associated with rice paddies — estimated at at least 20% in some trials.

Popular science articles and scientific reviews report on these advances and discuss the technical and environmental viability of these approaches.

Method of action and implementation

The formula is applied to the surface of stubble and accelerates residue fragmentation, allowing for faster tillage. Deployment techniques range from manual application to drone spraying, which facilitates coverage of large areas but also generates additional costs for small farms.

Limitations, costs and challenges of large-scale deployment

Despite the potential benefits, the widespread adoption of these products faces several obstacles. Firstly, demand has sometimes exceeded supply: authorities are trying to provide these solutions to farmers free of charge, but stocks may be insufficient. Secondly, the commercial versions available on the private market can represent a significant cost for many farmers.

Independent experts point out that there is no single solution : the transition requires additional measures, including access to suitable machinery, training programs and conditional incentives for public aid to be paid to farmers who commit to ceasing burning.

For the transformation to reach all 20 million potentially affected farmers in Thailand, coordinated public policies, robust supply chains for microbial products and awareness campaigns are essential.

Economic and social issues

The transition requires rethinking farm economics: the initial cost of renting equipment or purchasing bio-inoculants must be weighed against savings on inputs and yield gains. Some farmers advocate a long-term vision, believing that restoring the ground will eventually lead to a lasting reduction in their dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Regional and international perspectives

Local inventors and developers are already considering extending their solutions to other regions of Southeast Asia, and even to some African countries, where agricultural residue and soil health issues are also significant. For these solutions to cross borders, microbial strains will need to be adapted to local ecosystems, and appropriate distribution channels will need to be developed.

Media and scientific coverage of these initiatives aims to inform and open avenues for cooperation. Online dossiers present reports and analyses on the use of microbes to combat slash-and-burn agriculture and rice paddy pollution, and offer resources to understand the scale of the phenomenon and possible solutions.

The role of public policies and research

Experts recommend integrating these microbial innovations into a broader framework: making certain subsidies conditional on abandoning slash-and-burn agriculture, supporting access to mechanical tools, and training farmers in residue management practices. Research continues to play a central role in improving the effectiveness of formulations and measuring their long-term climatic and agronomic impacts.

Further analyses of air pollution in Thailand and ongoing initiatives help to place these efforts in a broader national and international context, where combating smog episodes remains a health and environmental priority.

To learn more about government actions, the burning season, and reports on microbial solutions in Thailand, consult these resources: measures in Bangkok, information on the burning season, a popular science article on biotechnology here, a report on the state of pollution in Chiang Mai thereand scientific and sectoral presentations on the use of microorganisms against burning here And there.

Frequently Asked Questions — Microorganisms to replace slash-and-burn agriculture in Thai rice paddies