Agriculture initiative up for approval

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

Govt offering farmers incentives to join public-private scheme for mutual benefit
 

THE CABINET will next week decide on whether to proceed with a public-private partnership initiative for the country’s agricultural sector. 

 

If approved, the initiative will see the Commerce and Agriculture ministries helping farmers plan their production in response to solid demand from the market. 

 

“The Commerce Ministry will be in charge of finding the markets for crops while the Agriculture Ministry will check suitable areas of supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday. 

 

He was speaking after meeting with representatives from both ministries as well as relevant private firms. 

 

Among them were CP All, Central Group, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Siam Makro, Betagro, Berli Jucker and Thai Union Group. 

 

Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach denied speculation that the initiative was planned to woo farmers’ support for the government camp ahead of the 2019 election. 

 

“Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has thought about how to improve farmers’ quality of life throughout the past four years. But because such an initiative involves a change in the way of life too, it takes time,” Grisada said. 

 

He pointed out that it also took time for the government to help farmers boost their credibility and win the trust of private buyers. 

 

“We cannot force private companies to buy crops. We can only talk about mutual benefits,” he said. 

 

Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said the initiative will promote demand-driven production and collaboration. 

 

“The private sector will specify the types of crops and the quantity they need. 

 

“After we receive their specifications, we will work with the Agriculture Ministry to start planning agricultural production,” he said. 

 

Grisada expects the initiative to solve the problem of oversupply.

 

“And with it, farmers can focus on crops that are still in high demand. For example, the country now needs 8 million tonnes of corn but the country’s agricultural sector can produce just 4 million tonnes,” he said. 

 

He pointed out that instead of growing rice two or three times a year, farmers might consider growing corn during some periods. 

 

Grisada said his ministry is planning to offer incentives to farmers who take part in the initiative. 

 

“We intend to offer a higher crop price and also a soft loan. For example, we will charge just 0.1 per cent interest,” he said. 

 

Moreover, he said, the initiative would offer insurance to interested farmers. By paying between Bt40 and Bt50 a rai, farmers will get better compensation when disasters ruin their crops. 

 

According to him, a budget of Bt641 million will be required for the first six months of the initiative. 

 

“If the next government is also interested in this initiative, it can continue with the implementation then,” he said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/business/30354834

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-20

'Compensation of 40-50 baht a rai when disasters destroy their crops'

 

Wow, that will help a small farmer a lot .......

Nothing at all to do, of course, with harvesting farmers' votes at the upcoming general election.

The country needs corn so why not reduce the sugar cane areas ?     Oh, I forgot, sugar brings money in to the ...... ?

Cassava and sugar cane, should be planted as rotational crops so why do I still see cassava followed by cassava ?

What happens when the Commerce Ministry advises, ( for whatever reason 'aum' ), the farmers to plant a particular crop and, the crop fails or the market changes; does the farmer get compensation ?

I wonder if yellow cassava could be grown here, ( it grows in a range of climates not just tropical , e.g. I grew it in South America in a sub-tropical climate, and have a local use ( not export due to its perishability ), its delicious and nutritious ?

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Among them were CP All, Central Group, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Siam Makro, Betagro, Berli Jucker and Thai Union Group. 

Farmers will never get mutual benefits from these giants. The junta is doing a disfavor to the farmers. Better for the farmers to form cooperatives and negotiate in a position of strength. 

Last week these bubble head junta generals recommended farmers use rice fields for tree farming. Tree farming requires heavy initial investment and labour with no return for 15- 30 years depending on the species grown. How are tree farmers supposed to survive? Government loans perhaps over the 15+ years or will starvation and death come first?

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach denied speculation that the initiative was planned to woo farmers’ support for the government camp ahead of the 2019 election. 

Beware! For a given reason, we announce this week’s new entries to the list of the indexed

T-shirts:

How about removing government/aggie mafia control and manipulation from the agricultural/horticultural sectors, allowing real open, free, and competitive markets to thrive as will? 

 

Lofty ideals, I know.

12 hours ago, rickudon said:

'Compensation of 40-50 baht a rai when disasters destroy their crops'

 

Wow, that will help a small farmer a lot .......

errr, the 40-50 Baht quoted is the proposed insurance premium, so yes, the low premium should help some farmers.