Bangkok (VNA) – The ThaiGovernment has launch three additional initiatives to support farmers, which wereapproved at the August 4 meeting of the National Rice Policy and ManagementCommittee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.
The Thai Government will provide a creditpackage of 46.25 million THB (1.39 million USD) for farmers of agriculturalgroups, cooperatives and businesses operating in rice trading and processing.
In addition, it will allocate 940 millionTHB (28.27 million USD) with discount interest rates for cooperatives and rice husking businesses,helping farmers store rice for between two and no more than six months. Farmerstransporting rice to store houses will receive an allowance of 1,000 THB (30USD) per tonne in cash.
Those who settle their loans will receive adeposit of 500 THB (15 USD) per tonne from the government while each householdwill receive financial support of no more than 12,000 THB (361 USD) a crop.
The initiatives aim to increase rice valueand address financial problems for rice growers, especially those in areasaffected by recent floods.
Despite damage of historic flooding in the northeastregion, Thailand remains as the world’s leading rice exporter. The countryhopes to export 10-11 million tonnes of rice this year.-VNA