BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has launched a financial assistance program for rice farmers during the 2024/25 production season, offering 1,000 baht per rai of farmland, capped at 10 rai per household, with a maximum payout of 10,000 baht per family. Targeting 4.61 million farming households, the program has been allocated a total budget of 38.58 billion baht. The initiative is set to help ease financial pressures, reduce production costs, and improve the efficiency of rice farming practices.
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is managing the distribution of funds, which will be disbursed regionally in phases. Payments begin today (Dec 16) for farmers in the northern region, with other regions scheduled to receive funds through December 20. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has compiled a detailed list of eligible farmers to ensure timely payments.
Farmers can verify their eligibility and payment status through multiple channels. The e-Farmer portal allows users to confirm eligibility by entering personal identification details, while the BAAC’s Chongkho system, mobile app, and ATMs provide options for checking payment status. Eligible individuals may also visit local BAAC branches or receive payment alerts via SMS if they have subscribed to the bank’s notification service.
The program is expected to offer much-needed financial relief to rice farmers, supporting them throughout the production cycle while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices and helping to secure their livelihoods. (NNT)
