Thailand: Longan cultivation hit by drought
Farmers complain that insufficient water has slowed the growth of the fruit in their longan plantations forcing some to pump underground water for irrigation.
A well-watered stem in bloom is normally 20-35cm long, bearing 50-70 longans, but this season's stems at most orchards are only 15-25cm long.
Thailand exported 220 tonnes of longans to the international market last year.
The Lamphun provincial administration has announced eight districts as drought-hit zones and said the water shortage has impacted more than 51,000 rai (some 20,000 acres) of orchard.
Source: pattayamail.com
