Farmers of rice are due to receive 114 billion baht in aid
Thai Government Approves 114 Billion Baht Aid Package for Rice Farmers
The Thai government has approved an aid package worth 114 billion baht to support rice farmers during the 2025 and 2026 cropping seasons. The package consists of two major assistance programs aimed at providing immediate financial relief and longer-term market stabilization.
Direct Financial Aid Program
Under the Direct Financial Aid Program, farmers will receive 1,000 baht per rai, up to a maximum of 10 rai per household, to help them cope with falling paddy prices. This program applies to both the 2025 off-season crop and the 2025/2026 main-season crop.
For the 2025 off-season crop, 7.28 billion baht has been allocated, benefiting approximately 861,000 farming households. For the 2025/2026 main-season crop, 37.9 billion baht will be set aside. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will offer advance payments for the main-season crop.
Paddy Price Stabilisation Program
The Paddy Price Stabilisation Program, budgeted at 61.6 billion baht, aims to stabilize paddy prices through several measures. These include a credit program allowing farmers to delay paddy sales, a loan program for agricultural institutions to purchase and stockpile paddy and add value, and an interest compensation program for rice traders who stockpile paddy.
The loan program for agricultural institutions has a budget of 15.65 billion baht. Additionally, 642 million baht has been allocated for the interest compensation program for rice traders who stockpile paddy. These measures are designed to reduce financial pressure on farmers and stabilize the rice market by supporting the timing and financing of paddy sales.
The cabinet had to grant an exemption from its earlier May 21, 2023, resolution to implement the 1,000-baht-per-rai measure, as it prohibited direct subsidies, compensation, or price guarantees for agricultural products.
The measures aim to ease the financial burden on farmers while stabilizing the rice market. The aid will be distributed through these two major assistance programs, providing much-needed support to rice farmers in Thailand during the 2025 and 2026 cropping seasons.
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