Thailand’s relevant government agencies have been assigned to work in an integrated manner for the management of the entire rice production system, which comprises short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures.

The Rice Policy and Management Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, met on October 6 to discuss the measures.

According to the Prime Minister, in order to ensure sustainable rice management, rice farming, the improvement of rice varieties, and rice zoning must be handled in line with market demand and in an effort to upgrade the living conditions of Thai farmers.

In this regard, farmers will be categorised into three groups: poor farmers with small farmland, farmers with more than 40 rai, or 16 acres, of farmland, and farmers with high capital and modern farming techniques. Assistance will be provided in response to their real needs.

The PM said that the Ministry of Interior’s Damrongtham Centre and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ Agriculture Centre will work with other agencies to ease farmers’ problems. For example, they will provide knowledge and information about the growing of suitable crops in each area and help farmers reduce production costs.

The Rice Policy and Management Committee has been informed that about 27 million tonnes of in-season paddy will come out between November and December 2014. Demand for Thai rice in the global market remains high. Africa is an important market for Thai rice. However, Thai rice exports to Africa are facing difficulties due to the spread of Ebola there. Greater competition is also seen in rice trade in the world market.-VNA