Thai Farmers Association Urges Government to Expedite Aid for Rice Farmers Amid Low Prices and Increased Global Competition

Strategic Insights -

The Thai Farmers Association has appealed to the new Minister of Agriculture and Commerce to accelerate the disbursement of aid for dry season rice farmers at a rate of 1,000 baht per rai to promote quality rice seeds and control production costs. The association has also requested the Ministry of Agriculture to procure high-quality rice seeds and establish a water delivery system to ensure sufficient water for the fields. Meanwhile, the association has proposed to the Ministry of Commerce to control the prices of production factors, particularly fertilizers and controlled chemicals and pesticides, which are becoming increasingly expensive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thai Farmers Association has requested the new Minister of Agriculture and Commerce to expedite the payment of 1,000 baht per rai to dry season rice farmers to promote quality rice seeds and control production costs.
  • The association has proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture procure high-quality rice seeds that yield more than 1,000 kilograms per rai to ensure sufficient nationwide production.
  • The Ministry of Commerce has been requested to control the prices of fertilizers and controlled chemicals and pesticides, which are becoming increasingly expensive for farmers.
  • Data from the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce indicates that in the first 5 months of 2025, Thailand exported 3.05 million tons of rice, down 25.61% from the same period last year.
  • The Thai Farmers Association is facing risks from all sides, both low rice prices and rising production costs, affecting more than 8.7 million farmer households nationwide.
  • The association has emphasized the need for immediate action from the two ministers to help farmers amid the challenging situation.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 baht per rai: the aid rate for dry season rice farmers
  • 10 rai per household: the maximum assistance for each household
  • >1,000 kilograms per rai: the proposed yield of high-quality rice seeds
  • 3.05 million tons: the total rice exported by Thailand in the first 5 months of 2025
  • 25.61%: the decline in rice exports compared to the same period last year
  • 63,098 million baht: the export value of rice in the first 5 months of 2025
  • 34.03%: the decline in rice export value compared to the previous year
  • 541 million tons: the world rice production
  • 8.7 million: the number of farmer households nationwide

Sources:

  • Thai News Agency, July 1, 2025
  • Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce (data provided in the article)