Thai Farmers Network Calls for Commerce Department to Fix Rice Patty Prices

Government should also compensate the price difference to farmers owning less than 40 rais of land and strictly set standard for rice moisture measurement meter and provide financial supports for their rice production.

The call was proposed during a meeting between assistant  to the Commerce Minister Patamapong Patompat  and  five farmer groups to discuss relief for rice  farmers now suffering from price falls.

Ravee Rungruang, chairman of the Thai Farmers Network, called on the commerce ministry to buy rice with moisture content up to a maximum limit of 15 percent at the price of 10,000 a ton,  a level they find profitable, as the farmers now get only 6,000-7,000 baht a ton.

He said the government should also compensate the price difference to farmers owning less than 40 rais of land and strictly set standard for rice moisture measurement meter and provide financial supports for their rice production.

Department of Internal Trade Director-general Chintana Chaiyawannakan, meanwhile, encouraged the farmers to try to find their own solutions to save production cost and make more profit, not just demanded the government to pay 10,000 baht.