BANGKOK, 23 April 2015 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced its success in carrying out various policies and projects to improve farmers’ quality of life during the first six months of the Prayut administration.
Minister Pitipong Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya said one of the achievements is the financial subsidy for low-income rice and rubber farmers across Thailand. Over 3.5 million rice farm families or 96.93% of the entire farmers as well as 767,518 households of rubber growers or 85.31% of the target have received the subsidy.
The Ministry has also made great efforts to crack down on the illegal fishing (IUU fishing) using several measures such as fishing boat registration, fishing process inspection as well as the amendment of laws related to fishing industry.
A “Farmer’s Market” projects held in 77 provinces across Thailand has created a total income of 6.5 million baht for local farmers.
During the drought disaster, the Ministry employed 38,694 farmers to work in labour-intensive jobs replacing their second rice farming while another 18,021 farmers were provided with occupational training. In parallel, a one -million-baht budget was given to local communities in 3,051 subdistricts to help them create jobs and develop their agricultural practices.
Moreover, the ministry had drawn up many projects involving the development of water sources, the promotion of using organic fertilizers, as well as Smart Farmer project. Mr.Pitipong said that all these projects were carried out to optimize efficiency, competitiveness and quality of life of all farmers.
