Abstract
We devised a nitrogen balance model to estimate the nitrogen load generated from food production and consumption in Thailand. The population of Thailand continues to grow, and income is growing too. As income grows, the demand for animal protein increases. Assuming self-sufficiency that food is supplied in Thailand and cereal planting area is constant, cereal yield must be increased. To achieve this, fertilizer application must increase. The nitrogen load to the environment generated from food supply and consumption was 0.21 and 1.46 million t y-1 in 1980 and 2000 respectively. It is projected to increase to 2.99 million t y-1 in 2030. The load will continue to increase, especially in the central and northeastern regions of Thailand.
