Bangkok: Prepare to propose to the National Economic and Social Development Board to consider increasing the financial framework to help farmers. Help farmers 1,000 baht per rai, not exceeding 10 rai, budget 38 billion baht. The latest resolution, the Ministry of Agriculture sees that if it is adjusted to 500 baht per rai, it will affect small farmers. Prepare to submit to the National Economic and Social Development Board on 25 Nov to consider increasing the budget.
According to Thai News Agency, the resolution of the 1/2567 National Rice Policy and Administration Subcommittee on Production suggested altering support for rice harvesting costs to 500 baht per rai, not exceeding 20 rai, with a budget involving 3.05% interest, totaling 27,550.96 million baht. This proposal will be presented to the NBTC for approval. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives received multiple requests from farmers to reassess the support plan, as the current provisions might not suffice for small-scale farmers, most of whom
own no more than 10 rai of land.
The Ministry of Agriculture prioritized farmers’ benefits, concluding that during the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee meeting on November 25, chaired by Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, a proposal will be made to assist farmers in the rice harvesting cost support project with 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 10 rai per household. The existing assistance of 1,000 baht per rai ensures small farmers with 5 rai receive 5,000 baht per household. Reducing it to 500 baht per rai would mean only 2,500 baht per household, which is deemed inadequate.
To maintain the 1,000 baht per rai assistance, a budget of 38,578 million baht is required, surpassing the initial 29,980.1645 million baht allocation. This matter will be revisited for further opinions from the NBTC.