By Bernama,
Washington : Thailand will consider a World Bank recommendation urging that food producing nations to focus on producing food to feed the growing populations of the world instead of growing crops to be used to produce alternative energy, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said on Monday.
Surapong told delegates attending the 77th annual spring meeting of the World Bank held in Washington that Thailand, a leading agro-based country, must consider the World Bank’s recommendation on focusing in growing food to meet global demands.
Thailand is a net energy importer, he said.
Growing crops to produce alternative energy sufficient to cater to energy demand in future is also significant.
Consequently Thailand must watch whether oil exporters and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would cooperate with agricultural producing countries.
His remarks were made after World Bank President Robert Zoellick had expressed concern over rising global food prices, a trend which could cause social and political problems as people would fight for food, especially in Africa.
Participants at the World Bank meeting were worried that more countries would switch to growing crops used for producing alternative energy as global oil prices continued soaring.
The meeting also discussed flooding problems caused by global warming.
Thailand ranks ninth among countries which could be hit by rising seas which would likely impact its agricultural lands and consequent ability to feed its people.
Surapong said he had asked the Thai government’s National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) to compile opinions expressed by participants at the World Bank meeting for the government’s consideration.
He said several issues aired at the meeting were in line with the Thai government’s policy, especially those related to public utilities and investment in flood prevention measures.