Bangkok: The government has issued a reminder to rice farmers to register as second-season rice farmers in 2025 to qualify for a subsidy of 1,000 baht per rai. Farmers must complete their registration by April 30 to be eligible for the assistance.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, the deputy government spokesman, stated that the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee (NRAC) has approved measures to assist farmers directly. This assistance aims to prevent future financial burdens on the government. The initiative offers direct compensation to second-season rice farmers at a rate of 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 10 rai per person, with a total budget allocation of 2,867.23 million baht. This funding is intended to provide immediate help to farmers without affecting the overall budget.
Mr. Anukul outlined the conditions for compensation, which include payments to farmers who grow dry season rice, with a limit of 10 rai per household. The compensation is available to farmers who are registered as dry season rice farmers. Those who have not registered yet have until April 30, 2025, to do so. In 2024, about 320,000 farmer households registered for off-season rice cultivation, covering 5.5 million rai. However, in 2025, the number decreased to 230,000 households, covering 4 million rai. Farmers are reminded to register via https://efarmer.doae.go.th to avail themselves of the 1,000 baht per rai assistance by the deadline.
Mr. Anukul emphasized that this assistance aims to support farmers affected by low rice prices. Although the government typically does not provide aid for dry season rice, the current circumstances necessitate intervention. The assistance comes with a condition that farmers must adapt their production structures. The NEB has established a working group to oversee this, involving various governmental and private sector stakeholders. Farmers are encouraged to either cultivate other economic crops or use high-yield rice varieties that meet market demand if they continue rice farming.