BANGKOK, Oct 20 The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) began cash handouts to rice farmers today at Bt1,000 per rai (1,600 square meters) of paddy fields to help offset costs. Some 3.4 million households will benefit from the scheme.
The payment disbursements for poor rice growers started in a lively manner at the BAAC’s Pho Thale district branch in Phichit province earlier today.
About 1,300 farmers were set to receive subsidies worth altogether Bt18 million there today.
In Khon Kaen province, payments began at the BAAC’s Nong Rua branch.
About 166,000 families of rice growers in Khon Kaen will obtain subsidies worth altogether Bt2.34 billion.
In Kamphaeng Phet province, 2,990 farmers were scheduled to receive subsidies of Bt42 million today.
About 46,000 rice growers are registered there and 17 local BAAC branches will transfer the money directly to the accounts of the farmers by Nov 10.
BAAC President Luck Wajananawat said the cabinet approved the subsidies to help farmers cope with the low prices of rice. The bank will pay subsidies totaling about Bt40 billion to 3.49 million households of rice growers in the 2014/2015 crop season.
The payment is starting in eight provinces where farmers’ registrations are ready.
They are Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Lop Buri, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Maha Sarakham provinces.
All payment will be completed within Nov 30.
