Farmers asked to maintain quality of Thai rice

[webfact]

Farmers asked to maintain quality of rice

 

 

BANGKOK, 6th November 2018 (NNT) – The Thai Rice Growers Association has implored rice producers to maintain the quality of their crop in a bid to keep paddy prices high. 

Chairman of the Thai Rice Growers Association, Suthep Kongmak said that Hom Mali or jasmine rice farmers have been earning more this year compared to previous years, thanks to a reduced supply and high demand in domestic and global markets. 

The prices of Hom Mali rice today range from 12,000 baht to 18,000 baht per ton. 

Despite the high retail and wholesale prices, the chairman said producers should focus on keeping the quality of their paddy at a high level while asking them not to grow more because it would only lead to increased supply and a price drop. 

In the meantime, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) Wichai Pochanakit said in-season paddy is being sold at 16,000 - 17,000 baht a ton this year, and in some areas, the price rises to 18,000 baht, the highest in rice producing history. 

Between November and December, Wichai expects 5 million tons of Hom Mali rice to enter the market. Due to the ongoing drought in the northeastern region, rice production in Roi Et, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram, Khon Kaen, and Chaiyaphum has dropped by 20% this year.

 

-- nnt 2018-11-06

[jaiyen]

So they want the farmers to spend more on expensive fertilisers to produce better crops and get the same price ??  Only the chemical companies will make the money, as we already know.  Rice farmers will always be poor, that's the system, but they are expected to finance the rich and the country !  The government does nothing to help them. They flood their fields every year in the monsoon season !

[zzaa09]

Who benefits in the end?