the phichit dolomite project thailand
in the phichit province of northern thailand a region known for its fertile river plains and agricultural productivity a project is processing local dolomite into a high-value soil amendment for the regions farmers. this is the phichit dolomite project which features a reliable raymond mill stone powder grinding mill with a capacity of 8 tons per hour. the raw material is dolomitic limestone from deposits in the nearby foothills where geological processes have created extensive formations of this calcium-magnesium carbonate rock.
dolomite is particularly valuable for agricultural applications because it provides both calcium and magnesium two essential plant nutrients. the raymond mill grinds the dolomite to a fine powder with a target fineness of 250 microns approximately 60 mesh. this relatively coarse specification is ideal for agricultural lime as it provides a sustained release of nutrients over several months without dissolving too quickly and washing away during irrigation or rainfall.
the primary application of this dolomite powder is direct application to the rice paddies and sugarcane fields that dominate the agricultural landscape of phichit and the neighboring provinces of phitsanulok and nakhon sawan. the magnesium content of dolomite is particularly valuable for sugarcane which has a high magnesium requirement for optimal sugar production. farmers applying this local dolomite have reported significant increases in crop yields and improved soil structure over time as the regular application of lime gradually corrects the natural acidity of tropical soils.
the project faced the challenge of reaching thousands of smallholder farmers across a wide geographical area each with relatively small individual requirements. the solution was to establish a network of local distributors and to package the dolomite in various sizes from one kilogram bags for home gardeners to one ton super sacks for large commercial farms. the 8 tons per hour mill operates steadily throughout the year building inventory for the peak application seasons while the distribution network ensures that farmers in even the most remote villages have access to this essential soil amendment. this stone powder grinding mill project in phichit demonstrates how appropriate technology can support smallholder agriculture and contribute to food security in rural thailand.
