Bangkok:Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Thai Bhakdi Party, has raised concerns about an 8 billion baht plan to procure 500 electric rice harvesters. He has called on Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to address several questions regarding the project.

According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Warong posted a message questioning the readiness to allocate funds from the emergency decree loan for the purchase, specifically asking if the Department of Rice has verified that the harvesters have been tested in Thai rice fields. He outlined several key inquiries for Mr. Suriya to address.

Among the questions, Dr. Warong asked about the brand and model of the harvesters, their country of manufacture, and whether they have been tested in Thailand, including specific locations and dates. He also requested reports on the efficiency and costs of continuous harvesting tests and inquired about the number of manufacturers capable of meeting the specifications.

Further questions included whether official studies have shown electric harvesters to be more economical than traditional diesel models, and how the ministry plans to manage maintenance, operational costs, and infrastructure needs such as charging stations. Dr. Warong also questioned the motives behind the project, suggesting it be clarified whether the initiative genuinely benefits farmers or serves other interests.

Dr. Warong emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns before proceeding with the project, fearing that the investment could lead to underutilized equipment and wasted farmland if not properly managed.