Cassava-Anbau in Thailand: Exportorientierung und Agrarprotektionismus der Europäischen Gemeinschaft

Abstract

Thailand supplies 85 % of EEC-imports of cassava products which are used entirely for compound animal feed. Cultivation of cassava in Thailand is mainly done by smallholder farmers, and provides a livelihood for about 16% of the Thai population. It contributes substantially to sectoral and regional growth. Export of cassava products is the country's second most important source of foreign exchange (after rice). The expansion of cassava growing areas in the north-east and south-east of Thailand is the result of several internal and external circumstances: national selfsufficiency of rice, development of the infrastructure in the cassava growing areas, well developed marketing system, mobile peasantry and strong external demand coupled with fairly high prices. Thus, acreage and production of cassava increased tenfold between 1962 and 1982. Cassava cultivation does not compete with rice due to its differing environmental requirements. Problems result from comparatively low farmgate prices and ecological damage through cassava monocropping, particularly in the north-east of Thailand. On the basis of annual import quotas an agreement was signed in 1980, aimed at reducing the imports of Thai cassava products into the EEC where, along with soya been meal, they are highly competitive with European-grown cereals. To compensate losses from reduced cassava exports the EEC provides financial support for a crop diversification programme in Thailand. However, due to institutional and environmental con- straints it is doubtful whether cassava can be replaced. The paper concludes with critical considerations of the EEC-trade restrictions which deprive export orientated small scale farming of access to its markets.