Farmers Urge Government Action to Boost Declining Rice Prices
PUBLISHED: 19 Feb 2025 at 20:42
Farmers from various provinces gathered at Government House in Bangkok on Wednesday, calling for an urgent increase in rice prices from the current 6,000 baht to 10,000 baht per tonne. The gathering highlights the ongoing struggles faced by farmers as prices fail to cover their production costs.
Participants from provinces such as Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Suphan Buri sought a dialogue with government officials, including the prime minister or the agriculture and commerce ministers, about measures to combat the plummeting rice prices. Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart Chomklin addressed the crowd early in the afternoon.
As farmers in central Thailand begin to harvest their off-season rice, prices have surprisingly dropped to between 6,000 and 7,000 baht per tonne, a significant decline from 10,000 to 11,000 baht last year, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan attributed the recent price drop mainly to external factors, particularly India’s resumption of rice exports and a decrease in demand from Indonesia and the Philippines.
One farmer from Suphan Buri expressed his concerns, stating that he is delaying the harvest until he receives clear government support.
Previously, representatives from central provinces had raised their concerns through provincial governors. In a notable protest last week, Ayutthaya farmers blocked roads, prompting the Ministry of Commerce to announce emergency measures, including setting up rice-buying points via provincial offices.
Another farmer from Phichit shared that despite production costs reaching 6,000 baht per tonne, he has been forced to sell at a loss due to crop damage caused by pests.
In the central region, rice is cultivated in two main cycles each year: in-season and off-season, with off-season rice being planted in December and harvested in February and March.
A national subcommittee on rice policy is expected to convene on Thursday to address the ongoing rice price crisis, while the House committee on agriculture is also scheduled for discussions on the matter.
Pramote Charoensilp, president of the Thai Agriculturists Association, revealed that the association had submitted a letter to key government figures earlier this week. The letter urged the administration to provide financial assistance to farmers, proposing compensation of 500 baht per rai for compliance with straw burning bans and an additional 500 baht per rai due to falling rice prices.
Mr. Pramote emphasized the importance of direct financial support to farmers to minimize middlemen involvement and reduce corruption risks.
