BANGKOK, Aug 21 (TNA) – The National Rice Policy
Committee has approved a Bt21- billion budget
to guarantee the price of rice, as part of aid measures to help farmers.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the Committee
meeting on Wednesday, the first under his new administration.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin
Laksanawisit announced that the rice scheme was aimed at stabilizing rice
prices for rice farmers with insured prices.
The government agreed to pay farmers fixed prices for five
types of rice, giving set amount of production per household, he said.
For example, jasmine rice is insured at 15,000 baht per ton
up to a maximum of 14 ton per household. The government also planned to
introduce cash handouts to cover the cost of harvesting, Jurin said.
Estimated four million rice farmers must file registration
with authorities in order to receive the subsidies.
The Rice Exporters Association of Thailand said the
Committee’s decision was a short-term measure. It urged the government to
improve rice quality and find new export markets in order to retain the
country’s competitiveness. (TNA)
