Government approves urgent measures to fight drought



BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved three measures to resolve problems from drought which is expected to be worse this year.

Acting Finance Minister Aphisak Tantiworawong said the measures aimed at tackling the severe problems that farmers are expected to be affected as a result of the worsening drought situation in the country.

The three measures proposed includes a one year emergency loan program valued at six billion baht with 12,000 baht set for individual loans. This loan will be able to provide loans for 500,000 farmers

The second measure is the setting up of a ‘One Tambon One Agricultural SME’ program to develop competitiveness for local famers within the next 10 years.

About 72 billion baht has been set aside to provide loans not exceeding 20 million Baht per individual.

This will allow approximately 72,000 potential SME operators access to vital funds.

Under the plan, operators with difficulty producing the needed collateral can apply to the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation for special consideration.

The last measures calls for the promotion of increased crop rotation to reduce the dependence on water supplies in 26 provinces located within the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins.

The aim is for farmers to focus on shorter term crops that are hardier and require less water supplies to curtail dependence on national water stocks.

Accordingly, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has set aside 15 billion Baht for such a purpose with a goal of providing around 100,000 farmers with financial support.

On top of all this, the cabinet also approved measures where SMEs are allowed to deduct 100% of all wages used for hiring accounting students in their operations from their overheads.

This they hope will ensure that more and more SMEs use a single account for book-keeping purposes.

Furthermore, the cabinet also signed-off on expanding the repayment period for guaranteed loans of SMEs with earnings below 200,000 Baht per year.

The government will be guaranteeing a total of 13.5 billion baht for loans wherein 200,000 Baht will be given to each individual.

A principle repayment reprieve for the first year will also be provided so that small operators are given a higher chance of succeeding.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152184


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-24

at least they are trying to do something and change the way farmers think, this can only be good in the long term especially if it gets them out of their bad practice, old habits. The farmers need to change the way they think and do things, what worked 50 years ago is no longer plausible, they need to modernize what they do so that they remain viable.

Edited February 24, 201610 yr by seajae

These "Urgent measure to fight drought" will help how?

They are simply providing financial support for the farmers , you really cant take measures against drought .

The only way to stop a drought is to not let water of of the dams, when it rains. And when the dams are full, then dig canals to hold

the excess water. Sorted !

The last measures calls for the promotion of increased crop rotation to reduce the dependence on water supplies in 26 provinces located within the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins.

The aim is for farmers to focus on shorter term crops that are hardier and require less water supplies to curtail dependence on national water stocks.

Maybe something good will come out of this drought. I hope so.

You cannot fight a drought you can only alleviate the effects of the drought. Even under section 44 they dont have enough power to create rain. But still there are no water restrictions implemented in cities and towns.

These "Urgent measure to fight drought" will help how?

Another populist policy from a government who is against such practices gee maybe they are learning how to govern finally. You need to help the populous not continuously bad mouth these types of policies.

You cannot fight a drought you can only alleviate the effects of the drought. Even under section 44 they dont have enough power to create rain. But still there are no water restrictions implemented in cities and towns.

Yes and we have to save water for the 20% increase in tourism this year.