Thailand is set to provide financial assistance to rice farmers during the 2025 dry season, addressing concerns of low market prices and helping to stabilize the agricultural economy. The government has approved measures to offer direct financial support of 1,000 baht per rai for up to 10 rai for registered farmers who grow rice.
On February 26, 2025, the National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPMC) approved the compensation measures following meetings where various methods to support farmers were discussed. It was decided to provide direct financial assistance, ensuring it does not impose future financial burdens on the government.
The budget for this initiative is approximately 2.867 billion baht, derived from unused funds from previous agricultural measures, which have reduced financing from 107 billion baht annually to 65 billion baht recently. This adjustment indicates the government’s shifting focus away from direct subsidies and price guarantees.
According to Wittyakorn Maneetnert, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, the assistance aims to offer immediate support to farmers impacted by significantly low rice prices. Traditionally, the government did not aid rice growers during the dry season, but the current situation necessitated this change.
The new policy not only provides immediate financial aid but also encourages farmers to transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers are urged to adopt higher yield rice varieties or diversify their crops to mitigate dependency on rice production.
Farmers wishing to receive this assistance must register as rice growers, with the registration open until April 30, 2025. A total of 320,000 households registered to cultivate rice during the 2024 season, covering around 5.5 million rai, with about 230,000 households already registered for 2025.
To help bolster the price of harvested rice, the government is working collaboratively with rice mill operators and retailers to purchase rice directly from farmers, aiming to buy 500,000 tons to create consumer rice bags. This initiative is aimed at not only ensuring farmers receive fair compensation but also stimulating consumer demand through strategic promotions.
For farmers seeking to change their registration details or to check their status, the Department of Agriculture provides online systems, including the e-Farmer service, which is user-friendly and supports agricultural management digitally.
The proactive measures taken by the Thai government reflect its commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and addressing the economic challenges faced by farmers, ensuring their sustainability and the security of food production within the country.
By addressing these issues through direct subsidies and support programs, Thailand aims to create a more resilient agricultural framework, paving the way for long-term stability and growth.