Fertiliser fiasco: Thailand halts farmers’ subsidy scheme

[snoop1130]

 

Trouble is brewing for Thailand’s farmers as the much-anticipated fertiliser subsidy faces suspension until next year, according to Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow.

 

Thamanat announced plans to discuss the troubled fertiliser subsidy policy with economic ministers, following revelations that the scheme could be on hold until 2024. Initially, the government had approved subsidies of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000 baht, for over 4.5 million farmers, starting yesterday, July 15. This co-payment programme was set to cost around 30 billion baht, offering significant savings compared to the previous administration’s rice farming subsidies.

 

However, budget constraints and objections from various parties have thrown a spanner in the works. Thamanat admitted yesterday that resolving misunderstandings regarding the subsidy would take time, cautioning that the policy might not see the light of day this year.

 

“The policy aims to reduce farmers’ expenses and promote precision farming to boost rice productivity.”

 

Thamanat noted that discussions within the Agriculture Ministry and with economic ministers would be crucial in determining the policy’s future.

 

 

“Political issues are another factor that triggered the suspension of the fertiliser subsidy policy, as some parties have to lose benefits. However, we want them to understand and focus on farmers’ benefits.”

 

If negotiations and further studies drag on, the subsidy could be postponed until next year. Despite the setback, Thamanat remains focused on reclaiming Thailand’s position as the world’s second-largest rice exporter from Vietnam by enhancing the aroma and taste of Thai rice. The ministry now boasts over 30 rice species suitable for cultivation across the country.

 

In 2023, Thailand ranked third among rice exporters with a volume of 5.27 million tonnes, trailing behind India and Vietnam. Natthakit Khongthip, Director-General of the Rice Department, confirmed the postponement of the fertiliser subsidy, citing differing views among farmers and financial constraints.

 

Natthakit expects the policy to launch in January or February next year, reassuring that the delay would not impact fertiliser manufacturers already participating in the programme, reported The Nation.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-16

 

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[BangkokReady]

Rice exports deteriorating, tourism deteriorating, foreign manufacturing deteriorating.  Solutions?

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

budget constraints

And we all know what and why this is. Sorry farmers we need the money for something else. Pure and utter empty headed moronic amateurs running the show.

[watchcat]

11 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Rice exports deteriorating, tourism deteriorating, foreign manufacturing deteriorating.  Solutions?

 

He should stuck to heroin export wich made him a minister post.

[Pouatchee]

Seems to me like this would be an opportune time for the "<deleted> to hit the fan".

 

But seeing how the pukethai gvt is running things all the farmers have to do is be patient

[redwood1]

No problem the farmers can buy fertilizer with their 10,000 baht payday.....

Edited July 17 by redwood1

[Will B Good]

Sounds like they are running out of money.....what are the options...?

 

Hit the poorest where it hurts or tax the incredibly wealthy and those companies enjoying monopoly like profits....?

 

ANS: HIT THE POOREST

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Hit the poorest where it hurts or tax the incredibly wealthy and those companies enjoying monopoly like profits....?

 

Option 3: work hard to make Thailand attractive to foreign tourists and foreign businesses again?

[Srikcir]

19 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Solutions?

New elections?

[Srikcir]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In 2023, Thailand ranked third among rice exporters with a volume of 5.27 million tonnes, trailing behind India and Vietnam.

What good is it ranking at all when you can't survive on market prices?

PM Prayut found after overthrowing PM Yingluck government and instituting his own rice pledge program that still proved unsustainable with market prices. So instituted various subsidies to lower farmer product cost such as fertilizer subsidies - and still failed profitability. 

Same now with PM Thavisin who seems to realize the futility of rice profitability with such subsidies. 

He needs to go "old school" economics and place those farming subsidies where they count for better economic sustainability, ie., higher GDP growth in the manufacturing and services sectors. But will PTP allow such deviation with MFP gaining more political visibility to possibly win the House majority?

 

[BangkokReady]

9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

He needs to go "old school" economics and place those farming subsidies where they count for better economic sustainability, ie., higher GDP growth in the manufacturing and services sectors.

 

This isn't about increasing GDP, its about propping up the farming industry, as so many Thai people are dependant on it.

 

Rice farming appears to no longer be an economically viable industry in Thailand, but there are a lot of rice farmers in Thailand, so they cannot be left to starve. It would also be a huge loss of face for Thailand if they did, since Thailand used to have a reputation for growing rhe best rice in the world.

[cowellandrew]

6 hours ago, redwood1 said:

No problem the farmers can buy fertilizer with their 10,000 baht payday.....

I cant wait to see where you can spend your digital 10k

I dont think it will be the fertiliser shop

Maybe the 100 pipers shop!

[john donson]

farmers doing all the work, but get the least

 

how you go from 10 baht per kg paid to the farmer to 40-50 baht kg in the shop ?

 

solution: send more little ghosts to every part of the world sending back money to thailand

Edited July 18 by john donson