Authorities across Thailand aid rice farmers to sell off their harvests

  

UBON RATCHATHANI, 2 November 2016 (NNT) – Army units have begun leading relevant agencies to inspect government rice silos in preparation for new measures to prop up the dwindling price of the crop. 

Commander of the 22nd Army Circle Maj Gen Achirachat Rojanapirom has led provincial officials and police to inspect the government’s 2013/2014 rice stocks in Ubon Ratchathani to make sure they match accounts. Initial inspections at 6 mills in the province have turned up no irregularities. The mills however asked authorities to relay to farmers that much of the stocks being turned in at this time have shown high levels of moisture and should be more thoroughly dried. 

Khon Kaen Governor Pongsak Preechawit reported that plentiful water and an end to pest infestations last year resulted in an oversupply of rice in the province, which has produced 680,000 tons this season. He has asked his province’s farmers to slow their harvests until his administration is able to hold a rice market. Other assistance measures include the province’s Red Cross Foundation directly purchasing some of the stock and an online sales channel. 

In Kanchanaburi, local administrators have established a weekly rice market to take place at the provincial hall every Wednesday. In Saturdays, a farm outlet will be set up across the Kanchanaburi Police Office. 

Elsewhere, PTT Company gas stations have allowed farmers to set up rice sales directly to travelers. The effort has already garnered much interest. 

 

-- nnt 2016-11-02

Let's see if those middlemen get desperate when they are leapt over for a year's harvest.

Unfortunately, after enduring the severe droughts of 2015-16, the long-suffering rice farmers must now endure falling prices for their current crop.

 

 

And, according to TradingEconomics (http://www.tradingeconomics.com/commodity/rice/forecast), things ain't going to get better anytime soon. They are predicting that rice is expected to trade at 9.92 USD/CWT by the end of this quarter, and worse still, estimate it to trade at 9.62 in 12 months time !!!

 

But, the problem is not limited to Thailand, as it's Asian neighbours also look like they are in for torrid times ahead too. Both Cambodia (https://is.gd/NpqREt;) and Vietnam (https://is.gd/dwcUY9;) flag problems, while Laos (http://en.apdnews.com/xin-hua/430311.html) has different issues, and actually may not reach projected targets.

 

So, it seems that Thai rice farmers are going to need substantial assistance well into the future if they are to survive.

 

It's probably of little comfort for the ailing farmers, but the junta and its cronies may get a better understanding of (what seems to be) a global rice-producer problem when this will no doubt be discussed at the 2016 World Rice Conference, to be held from 16 to 18 November in Chiang Mai (http://www.trtworldrice.com/).

 

That said, as far as production is concerned, Thailand's fate (and its export opportunities) may be determined by the actions, over the next twelve months, of the larger producing countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam (https://www.worldriceproduction.com/).

They would have better luck increasing demand for rice (and its price) by doing something simple like ordering people to have a double helping of rice at every meal.

2 hours ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

They would have better luck increasing demand for rice (and its price) by doing something simple like ordering people to have a double helping of rice at every meal.

 

The problem is that most rice farmers and their families don't eat the rice they want to sell. They prefer sticky rice...

48 minutes ago, trogers said:

 

The problem is that most rice farmers and their families don't eat the rice they want to sell. They prefer sticky rice...

I'm talking about all rice eaters...not just Isan folks. Just imagine, if everyone eating at Fuji had a second bowl of rice, the extra stocks would be gone in no time ?