Bangkok, 'Chai-ya', former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, stated that he disagreed with the 'Half-Half Fertilizer' project. Farmers want 1,000 baht per rai. Many parties are concerned about the quality of the fertilizer in the project. He also questioned whether it was an advantage for some fertilizer traders. Mr. Chai-ya Phromma, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, MP for Nong Bua Lamphu, Pheu Thai Party, revealed that from visiting and talking with MPs in many provinces in the Northeast, as well as feedback from farmers, it was found that most farmers in the Northeast disagree with the government's Half-Half Fertilizer and Bioproducts project, which is under the operation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Feedback received showed concerns on several important issues, such as farmers wanting to maintain the 1,000 baht per rai assistance project because it is more flexible than the 'Half-Half Fertilizer' project. In addition, it is also seen that the 'Ha lf-Half Fertilizer' project is considered to be tying the hands of farmers. There are also concerns about the quality of the fertilizer and biological products received, whether they are of standard quality or not, because the Rice Department selects the fertilizer, and the few private sellers who participate in the project benefit. Is it like forcing and tying the hands of farmers? Is it making things worse for farmers? Mr. Chai-ya said that as an MP who is a representative of the people who has been in contact with the farmers' way of life all along, especially in the Northeast, and who used to serve as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, he saw that this project was opposed by farmers nationwide. It is not like the project to provide financial assistance to rice farmers of 1,000 baht per rai, which received the money directly and could be used to reduce other production costs, including harvesting costs, plowing costs, sowing costs, and fertilizer costs, all in one place. We must not forg et that there are other important factors in increasing yield per rai, such as irrigation systems, soil analysis, market mechanisms, and the use of technology and innovation, etc. If we want to see higher yields per rai of Thai rice, the government should invest in water management and a systematic irrigation system. Therefore, there are many other options for farmers who want to reduce production costs. The Half-Half Fertilizer Project has created a burden for farmers to find cash to pay for their own fertilizer first. It is like solving the problem incorrectly, scratching the wrong place, and creating a burden for farmers. In this regard, we would like to call on the government to reconsider this issue. Although the project aims to reduce production costs and help farmers, it does not truly meet the needs of farmers. The government still has better options, such as establishing a national fertilizer factory, which has been a long-standing demand. Furthermore, it has been noted that this project has a secr et plan to disguise capitalists who benefit from it, and is trying to push the Department of Agriculture and the Rice Department to accept only a few fertilizer formulas, which will result in a monopoly for only a few who benefit from this project. Therefore, we must continue to monitor whether any entrepreneurs pass the selection process and whether there are any personal benefits. Source: Thai News Agency