Farmers urge Thai govt to hold off on price cut

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Farmers urge govt to hold off on price cut
THANAPAT KITJAKOSOL
THE NATION



Networks believe it will be less painful |if new rate introduced in November

BANGKOK: -- The cut in the rice-pledging price to Bt12,000 per tonne could be less painful for farmers if it is put in effect during the next harvest season in November, instead of it being implemented right away on July 1.

Rising costs means that the upcoming harvest will yield a lot less for farmers if the government's pledged price is cut from the original rate of Bt15,000 per tonne, a statement from farmers' groups said. Instead of slashing the pledged price, they called on the government to stop millers and corrupt officials from using illegal methods.

Farmers' groups said that if the government really wanted popular support, it should offer tangible subsidies such as cutting the price of diesel, halving the price of fertiliser and reducing the leasing rate of farmland.

Wichian Puanglamjiak, chief of the Thai Agriculturist Association, said slashing the pledged price right now was unacceptable, but could work if it is introduced in November. He said the three main farmers' bodies - his, the Farmers Thai Rice Association and the Thai Farmers Support Association - were joining hands to discuss solutions and push them forward to the government for concrete implementation.

Wichian had earlier threatened to hold a series of mass rallies to protest against the Bt3,000 reduction, but did not say whether he was going to pursue the planned gathering if the rate would be returned to Bt15,000 by today - the day the government has promised to issue a final answer on the issue.

TOO MUCH CORRUPTION

Prathum Saengkham, the leader of a farmers' group in Phitsanulok, said most farmers got Bt1,000 or less for a tonne of unhulled rice from millers even though the price was guaranteed at Bt15,000. He added that he agreed with Wichian that the Bt12,000 rate should be put in effect in the next harvest season, so farmers could then choose how much land they should cultivate to cope with the lower rate.

Somyong Soithong, another farmer from Phitsanulok, echoed figures estimated by the BioThai Foundation that farmers would each receive only Bt360 per tonne if the per-tonne rate was reduced to Bt12,000, which would be a huge drop from the Bt3,360 they have been getting at the original Bt15,000 rate.

Both Prathum and Somyong agreed that the government scheme was prone to corruption, while the previous formula - the so-called rice-guarantee method - made it more difficult for millers and corrupt officials to cheat.


-- The Nation 2013-06-28

[kimamey]

This looks like it may be a better idea than suddenly dropping the price.

[kotsak]

I wonder if those face masks can block the rotten stench... :>

[davejonesbkk]

why is there a cop there??

[NongKhaiKid]

why is there a cop there??

Protecting someone's interests but the questions is " who " ?

[kimamey]

why is there a cop there??

The police are in charge of checking the rice stocks to see how much there is and to find the rice that is stolen/missing/not there in the first place/being re pledged before the price goes down. Basically the police are checking on the corruption that the police are already there to stop so if he looks a bit confused you know why.

[petedk]

Yes, it's strange they are wearing face masks. I thought the fumigation of rice wasn't supposed to be dangerous.

Also is that a boot just behind the policeman?

[seajae]

Yes, it's strange they are wearing face masks. I thought the fumigation of rice wasn't supposed to be dangerous.

Also is that a boot just behind the policeman?

probably from the last person that tried to stop them stealing the rice......

[Ricardo]

Both Prathum and Somyong agreed that the government scheme was prone to corruption, while the previous formula - the so-called rice-guarantee method - made it more difficult for corrupt millers and officials to cheat

Which of course is why it had to be replaced, with TRT/PPP/PTP's preferred method, previously proven to have failed to prevent corruption, and the funds from being diverted to the people who really matter.

It must be a problem for the farmers, not knowing what price they'll get for their rice, and whether or not to spend extra money on fertilisers & insecticides, but actually changing the rules after they've made these decisions really screws them, another success for Red-Economics !

The peasants are revolting ... or at least they ought to be !

[belg]

no more rice scam subsidy

till all the rice is sold for real... aka export

that is what a normal country would do

[Thai at Heart]

An urge is always followed by a mull in Thai politics.

Yingluck mulls farmers demands.

I have never seen a true pooyai mull or consider any decision. That's why the decision making is sooooo bad.

Edited June 28, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[espinoza]

why is there a cop there??

Thats because the police are experts regarding business, rice and economics in general.

[espinoza]

why is there a cop there??

Because the Thai people is belived to trust the police beyond anybody ells.

[rubl]

"Both Prathum and Somyong agreed that the government scheme was prone to corruption, while the previous formula - the so-called rice-guarantee method - made it more difficult for millers and corrupt officials to cheat."

No comment, no comment at all. Apart from the "Did I tell you? Did you listen to me? Oh no, no, you knew betterdidn't you? No, it's just an ordinary scam isn't it. The names you called me. Well, don't say I didn't tell you."