Bangkok: Sugarcane farmers converged at the Ministry of Industry, demanding an unconditional payment of 120 baht per ton for freshly cut sugarcane during the 2025/2026 production season.

According to Thai News Agency, the farmers are calling for a subsidy that combines a 69 baht per ton incentive for fresh-cutting and an average 51 baht per ton subsidy for not burning fields post-harvest. Additionally, the farmers are advocating for the removal of the prohibition against burning fields after harvest.

Minister of Industry, Varawut Silpa-archa, received the farmers' demands and acknowledged their hardships. He commended the farmers for reducing the incidence of sugarcane burning to 3.8%, the lowest recorded rate. Silpa-archa assured the farmers that their proposals would be seriously considered for implementation.

The Ministry of Industry affirmed its commitment to support over 140,000 sugarcane farmers, as previously announced by the Sugarcane and Sugar Board (SSB). So far, the government has implemented two assistance measures: upgrading equipment and machinery, and encouraging non-burning harvesting methods. A third measure, which includes incentives for harvesting 100% fresh sugarcane, generating additional income from sugarcane by-products, and further assistance against burning post-harvest, has been approved by the SSB and is set for Cabinet consideration.