Bangkok, Minister Thammanat is concerned about durian farmers in the eastern region. Very hot - dehydrated This causes the durian fruit to break on the tree. Order the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Extension to provide advice on solving problems in durian orchards and fruit orchards affected by drought. Ready for the Royal Irrigation Department to send water trucks to provide continuous support. I don't want farmers to increase the cost of buying water to water durian. Captain Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said: Concerned about fruit growers in the Eastern region Especially durian orchards that are starting to cut their production. The extremely hot weather and lack of water in some areas caused the durian fruits to burst on the trees. It has been reported that Farmers have to buy water to water their fruit trees. Therefore ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to bring water trucks to help farmers until the situation returned to normal. In a ddition, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Extension provide advice to farmers on solving problems with fruit trees affected by drought. Recently, the Department of Agriculture has issued a Department of Agriculture announcement regarding solutions to the problems of drought impacts of durian and other fruits in an emergency situation. Mr. Rapeephat Chandrasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, said that Hastened to coordinate with the Department of Agricultural Extension to have the Provincial and District Agriculture Offices survey the damage to fruit trees. Ready to expedite academic knowledge and advice on solving problems in emergencies. For guidelines on taking care of durians that are producing fruit. But they face problems of lack of water and high air temperatures. The humidity in the canopy must be increased. By providing at least 200 liters of water per plant per day. by spraying water Or install a sprinkler on the durian tree, which must be wat ered at the right time. In the early morning from 6:00-8:00 a.m. or in the evening from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and increase the watering time more than during normal times. in order to cool down reduce air temperature and increase humidity for durian trees In addition, soil moisture must be maintained. By covering the soil with grass clippings or material covering the base of durian trees. Do not use fertilizers that are high in nitrogen as this will stimulate the plants to produce new leaves, resulting in increased water use. The number of fruits per tree must be appropriate. If there are too many fruits, some must be cut off in order for the tree to survive. Including trimming the leaves inside the canopy to reduce transpiration. Can be sprayed with substances that reduce the severity of hot and dry weather, such as Spray kaolin or kaolin clay at the rate of Kaolin 6% w/v at the rate of 1 kilogram per 200 liters of water. Information from the Department of Agricultural Extension indicates that During this period , Monthong durians in the eastern region are beginning to be harvested. The Department of Agricultural Extension has set the date for April 15 onwards. It is the button durian harvest period, April 5th onwards. It is the harvesting time for the Gibbon and Phuangmani varieties. As for the Monthong variety, which is the most exported variety. Harvesting will begin from May 20 onwards. However, when durian is affected by drought. If harvested early It will be a young durian that is not of good quality. The part that broke at the tree It will be sold at a reduced price, so we must follow the guidelines for resolving the impact of drought on durian and other fruits in an emergency situation that will be issued to advise farmers as soon as possible. Source: Thai News Agency