BANGKOK, 17 July 2015 – The National Reform Council has proposed a quickening of the process to help troubled rice farmers in the country.
The Chairman of the NRC’s Committee on Agricultural Reform, Uthai Sonluksub, says he has prepared a proposal that focuses on the faster implementation of measures to help rice farmers.
Mr. Uthai said that his proposal is about the setting up of a Federation of Rice and Rice Farmers of Thailand, which it’s hoped will help the government solve problems faced by rice farmers.
He added that he will submit the proposal to the Prime Minister for consideration, and that all related agencies and representatives of the farmers will be invited to a meeting on the idea.
Around 56.69 million rai of rice farms are available for this year’s rice growing and 24.14 million tons of rice are expected to be harvested.
Although there are as many as 14.8 million rice growers in the country, most of them are now battling drought as well as rising costs, falling rice prices and growing debt, he said.
