Bangkok: The Farmers' Association is urging the National Rice Policy Council to issue fertilizer coupons in response to low rice prices and increasing production costs. The Thai Farmers and Agriculturists Association is preparing to propose to the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) the distribution of coupons worth 200 baht per sack of fertilizer to reduce production costs. This comes as farmers nationwide face low rice prices while the costs of fertilizer, fuel, and agricultural chemicals continue to rise. They are urging the government to urgently implement concrete measures to assist farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pramote Charoensilp, President of the Thai Farmers and Agriculturists Association, revealed that the association is preparing to submit a proposal to the National Rice Policy and Management Committee (NRPMC), scheduled to meet on June 11th. The proposal suggests that the government provide a fertilizer subsidy coupon worth 200 baht per bag, up to a maximum of 20 bags per household. This aims to reduce farmers' production costs and allow them to choose fertilizer formulas suitable for their planting areas.
In addition, the association is preparing to propose to the government additional assistance measures of 2,000 baht per rai, with a maximum of 20 rai per household, to mitigate the impact of higher production costs and rice prices that do not yet reflect production costs. Mr. Pramote stated that farmers are currently facing continuously rising production costs. Some fertilizer formulas have increased from 700-800 baht per sack to over 1,000 baht, while some chemicals have risen from 200-300 baht to 400-500 baht. This has left many farmers experiencing liquidity problems, and some lack the funds to invest in the new planting season.
Meanwhile, rice prices were low during the recent harvest, with farmers in many areas selling rice for only 4,000-5,000 baht per ton. Although prices have now started to rise to around 9,000-10,000 baht per ton, most of the produce has already left the hands of the farmers, as many need to sell quickly to pay off debts and production costs. "Farmers invest heavily but sell at low prices. Today, the price of rice has increased, but the rice is no longer in the hands of the farmers," said Mr. Pramote.
Mr. Pramote noted that the government has implemented proactive measures to support various aspects of fruit production, including market and export strategies. However, the problems related to rice and farmers' production costs have not been seriously addressed, even though the new planting season has already begun. "Today, many agencies are just talking, but haven't been able to do anything serious, even though we've entered the new production season," said Mr. Pramote.
Additionally, Mr. Pramote revealed that the association has contacted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, and Minister of Energy, Mr. Ekanat Promphan, to expedite the resolution of farmers' hardships in various areas. The Ministry of Commerce is urged to urgently address rice prices and control the prices of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is requested to expedite the disbursement of funds for the project supporting management costs and improving the quality of rice produce for the 2025/2026 crop year, which provides 1,000 baht per rai (up to 10 rai), as some farmers have not yet received the money. They are also asked to accelerate the development of water resources and rice seed varieties. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy is requested to help manage the price of diesel fuel for agricultural use and support the use of solar power systems and water pu mping equipment to reduce farmers' energy costs in the long term.
Mr. Pramote stated that if the government continues to delay addressing the problem, some farmers may reduce their cultivated area, decrease the use of production inputs, or even abandon rice farming altogether. This would affect rice production volume, exports, and the country's long-term food security. "Rice is the staple food of the country. We eat rice every day. If farmers cannot make a living, ultimately the entire food system will be affected," said Mr. Pramote.