BANGKOK, 5 September 2013 (NNT) – The National Rubber Policy Committee has resolved to financially aid rubber farmers owning no more than 25 rai of rubber plantations but has refused to intervene in the rubber price as requested by the farmers.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said on Thursday that after deciding to provide financial assistance to rubber farmers whose plantations did not exceed 10 rai, the National Rubber Policy Committee had agreed to assist more rubber farmers by raising the limit on the area of plantations from 10 rai to 25 rai. The eligible farmers, accounting for 90% of rubber farmers nationwide, would receive 1,260 baht per rai, or 6 baht a kilogram higher than the current market price. 10 billion baht more would be needed to pay the farmers, the minister said.
The assistance, set to be proposed to the Cabinet for approval two weeks from now, would be applicable to only the rightful owners of rubber plantations or those who could present certificates of ownership.
Meanwhile, Mr Kittiratt reaffirmed that the government would not intervene in the rubber price by setting it at 100 baht a kilogram since it would damage the market mechanism.
