BANGKOK – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has adopted aid measures for rubber planters after turning down their request for an increase in rubber price.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya pointed out that the price of rubber in the country remains low because of the slump in rubber and oil prices in the global market. Based on a recent survey, prices of crude rubber and smoked rubber sheets in Hat Yai district of Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani were found to be in the range of 34-36 baht per kilogram on average.
In response to rubber farmers’ demand that the rubber price be raised to 60 baht a kilo, Gen Chatchai admitted that such a hike cannot be implemented. Instead, he said the Agriculture Ministry is providing the rubber growers with eight assistance measures, aimed to support them in doing sideline jobs and planting alternative crops to supplement their income.
In the meantime, the minister revealed that he will lead a group of delegates to India and Russia in an attempt to seek more channels to release Thai rubber. Domestic use of rubber will also be increased to prevent oversupply.
