THE CHALLENGE

Corn farming in Chiang Rai has been expanding for years, and it has caused: • Deforestation & Soil Degradation – Large areas of forest are cleared every year, leaving behind dry, lifeless soil. • Economic Struggles – Small farmers depend on unstable corn prices, making it hard to sustain their livelihoods. • Chemical Overuse – Pesticides and fertilizers damage the environment and put local communities’ health at risk. • Water Scarcity – Intensive farming drains water sources, impacting nearby villages. Because this situation, now, most families in Kanglaung are trapped in a cycle of debt to the companies that supply them with pesticides. Corn cultivation in Thailand expanded significantly in the late 20th century, driven by growing demand for animal feed and agro-industry exports. Encouraged by government policies and agribusiness investments, corn farms became a primary cash crop, reaching even remote mountain communities. In the hill tribe minority communities, corn was introduced as a means of economic integration, offering farmers a source of income. In recent decades, the expansion of corn monocrop plantations in northern Thailand has severely impacted the environment. To plant corn, vast areas of forest are cleared, leading to soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and changes in local climate. Farmers often depend on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which pollute rivers and harm human health. The crop’s price fluctuates, leaving families in a cycle of debt and vulnerability. This model is unsustainable for both people and the environment. Related to the environmental problem we can remark: • Deforestation & Biodiversity Loss: Massive deforestation occurs as forests are cleared to expand corn fields, leading to loss of native ecosystems. This affects wildlife habitats, reducing biodiversity in the region. • Slash-and-Burn Practices & Air Pollution: Farmers often burn corn residues to clear fields for the next planting season, contributing to severe air pollution and the annual haze crisis in northern Thailand. The smoke from burning fields contains PM2.5 fine particulate matter, causing serious respiratory health issues. • Soil Erosion & Degradation: Continuous corn farming depletes soil nutrients and leads to severe erosion, especially in hilly areas. Without tree cover, rainfall washes away topsoil, reducing the land’s ability to retain moisture and support crops. • Water Pollution & Shortages: Heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides contaminates rivers and groundwater, and water shortages are increasing due to unsustainable irrigation practices and high water consumption of large-scale maize fields. Also they have big economic problems: • Price Volatility & Market Dependence: Farmers rely heavily on corn as a cash crop, but prices fluctuate due to global demand, government policies, and competition from large-scale maize producers. Many farmers operate on thin profit margins, leaving them vulnerable to financial instability. • High Production Costs & Debt Cycle: The cost of seeds, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides is rising, leading to increased financial burdens. So, many farmers take loans to cover production costs but struggle to repay them due to unstable prices. Some become trapped in a debt cycle, making them dependent on external support or land leasing agreements with large agribusinesses. • Land Degradation Reduces Productivity: Overuse of land for corn depletes soil fertility, requiring higher input costs (fertilizers) to maintain yields. Many areas now experience declining productivity, forcing farmers to clear new land rather than regenerating existing fields. And finally, those situations produce important social problems: • Labor Exploitation & Migration Issues: Many small farmers cannot afford hired labor, leading to reliance on migrant workers, often under poor conditions. Also, Young people in the community see corn farming as unprofitable, leading to rural-urban migration in search of better jobs. • Health Issues Due to Pesticide Exposure: Farmers use large amounts of chemical pesticides and herbicides, causing health problems, including skin diseases, respiratory issues, and long-term risks of cancer. The lack of proper safety measures and education on chemical use increases exposure risks for both farmers and their families. As a conclusion, farming in northern Thailand is no longer economically sustainable, environmentally friendly, or socially beneficial. The negative impacts on soil, forests, air quality, and human health outweigh the short-term economic benefits.