Bangkok: The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has announced the rollout of a comprehensive financial assistance program targeted at over 4.63 million households engaged in dry-season and wet-season rice cultivation. This initiative, which includes the 2025 Dry-Season Rice Farmer Support Project and the 2025/26 Rainy Season Rice Farmer Support Project, aims to optimize crop production based on regional potential and is backed by a budget exceeding 50 billion baht. Farmers will receive financial assistance at a rate of 1,000 baht per rai, up to a maximum of 10 rai per household, equating to a cap of 10,000 baht per household. The initial round of payments, amounting to over 20 billion baht, is set to benefit more than 2.48 million farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, the program also includes measures to stabilize paddy prices for the 2025/26 production year. These measures feature loans designed to delay the sale of in-season paddy rice, with the government covering interest costs for farmers and agricultural institutions. Additionally, support is provided for storage and quality maintenance costs at a rate of 1,500 baht per ton. Agricultural institutions can access loans to enhance the value of collected rice, with the institutions paying a minimal interest rate of 1% per year, while the government and BAAC cover the remaining interest. The program aims to support a total paddy rice volume of 4.5 million tons.
Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, President of BAAC, stated that the initiative aims to alleviate financial strain, ensure sufficient income for farmers, reduce cultivation costs, and incentivize improvements in rice production efficiency and quality. The BAAC is executing resolutions from the Cabinet meeting on August 19, 2025, and the BAAC Board meeting on August 28, 2025, chaired by Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance and Chairman of the BAAC Board. These meetings authorized the BAAC to proceed with the 2025 off-season rice farming financial assistance and support projects.
The assistance program is open to farmers registered with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for the 2025/26 production year. The program spans from August 19, 2025, to December 31, 2025, for off-season rice farmers, and from August 19, 2025, to September 30, 2026, for wet-season rice farmers. Farmers can verify their transfer status and received amounts via https://govtransfer.baac.or.th or the official Line: @baacfamily.
The BAAC has outlined a detailed plan for fund transfers to registered farmers, beginning on September 1, 2025, with an initial budget of 20 billion baht benefiting over 2.48 million farmers. Transfers will occur in three regional rounds: the northern region on September 2, 2025, the Northeastern region on September 3, 2025, and other regions on September 4, 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will verify remaining rice production from farmers before forwarding this information to the BAAC for aid distribution.
Additionally, the BAAC will manage over 50 billion baht in budgeted measures to stabilize paddy rice prices for the 2025/26 production year. This includes a 35 billion baht loan to delay paddy sales and prevent market oversupply, with interest covered by the government. Farmers can borrow up to 300,000 baht, while cooperatives and other agricultural entities can access higher loan limits. Various rice types, including Hom Mali, jasmine, regular, Pathum Thani, and glutinous rice, are eligible. Farmers can apply for support from today, with contracts required by February 28, 2026.
The BAAC is also offering a 15 billion baht loan to agricultural institutes for rice collection and value addition. The institutes will pay 1% interest, with the government and BAAC absorbing the remainder. This project runs from October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, with loan repayment due by September 30, 2026. Small farmers participating in the government's debt suspension program can also access the loan to delay paddy sales for the 2025/26 production year.