Deputy Minister of Agriculture confirms expedited relief for farmers affected by floods

Deputy Minister of Agriculture confirms to speed up compensation for farmers affected by floods and prepares a plan to solve drought problems in the future.

Mr. Itthi Sirilathayakorn, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, responded to Mr. Prahyat Chatuphornpitakkul, a member of the Senate, regarding the relief measures for farmers from the flooding problem in the northern and northeastern regions, saying that in the flood situation that occurred in many provinces, the ministry did not remain indifferent. It has been taking action since the flood and preparing a relief plan after the water recedes. It is estimated that the impact from this flood in terms of crops will affect 160,000 farmers, covering an area of ??more than 1,000,000 rai, and in terms of fisheries, more than 10,000 farmers will be affected. In terms of livestock, more than 3,000,000 animals will be affected. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture has ordered the Department of Agricultural Extension to urgently survey the damage in order to be ready for further relief.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives also stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has provided some immediate assistance to farmers, such as providing water pumps and water pushers in disaster areas, distributing vegetable seeds, evacuating animals, sending royal rainmaking helicopters to support the operations of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Army Headquarters in entering flood-affected areas, setting up special task forces with personnel, cars, and fisheries patrol boats to help deliver food and drinking water and help evacuate people and patients from the area, and providing low-interest loans to farmers in land reform areas with a credit limit not exceeding 50,000 baht.

As for the relief after the situation improves, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives confirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture has prepared a plan to rehabilitate farmers after the flood recedes to alleviate farmers’ immediate suffering, divided into occupational rehabilitation after the flood recedes by supporting rice varieties, field crops, orchard crops, animal varieties, fish varieties along with production factors, land adjustment and rehabilitation of agricultural areas, and measures to reduce farmers’ debt burden, such as deferment or extension of debt repayment periods, low-interest loans, etc.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives also emphasized that the government is well aware that the flood caused enormous damage. The Prime Minister has ordered each ministry to prepare a plan to cope with the future. Each ministry and each agency must share information. The Minister of Agriculture has instructed to reduce work steps and complicated work plans and to prioritize helping people reduce disaster risks not only during floods, but also to prevent droughts. Farmer data must be improved so that the ministry can link information with farmers and provide appropriate compensation. Previously, the ministry adjusted the compensation figures to be more in line with the situation and received approval in principle from the Cabinet. In the most recent Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister instructed the relevant ministries to adjust the compensation figures and set up a center to help people. Therefore, he confirmed that the compensation measures of the Ministry of Agriculture and the government wil
l reach the people as soon as possible because if the people’s suffering can be helped faster, it will be a happiness for those in need.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives also stated that the compensation money for farmers will be expedited by the Cabinet meeting tomorrow (23 September) to reach farmers as soon as possible, but it must be in accordance with regulations and procedures.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives also confirmed that the concerns of farmers who were not registered or had not been certified before the flood, compensation for rice farmers who need to grow dry season rice, and the preparation of rice seeds to help farmers after the flood recedes, as each area requires different rice seeds, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will expedite consideration and action as soon as possible.

Source: Thai News Agency