Bangkok: The Ministry of Agriculture is initiating a pilot project to collect rice during the rainy season to support rice prices. Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has directed the Cooperative Promotion Department to work with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on a rice collection and value-added loan project. This initiative will start in Roi Et before expanding nationwide on November 1st. Thammanat mentioned that the expansion will await the Prime Minister’s return from the APEC meeting for further discussions at the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao provided updates on the National Rice Policy and Management Committee’s (NRMC) recent meeting, which focused on measures to support rice farmers for the 2025/26 production season. This meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister, who is currently attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in South Korea. The NRMC awaits the Prime Minister’s return to schedule its next meeting, as no deputy prime ministers have been appointed to the committee.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has reviewed a previous National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) resolution that proposed loan programs to delay rice sales and enhance value through agricultural institutions for the 2025/26 production year. The Cabinet has approved this proposal, and Lt. Col. Thammanat has instructed the National Rice Policy and Management Subcommittee on Production to allow relevant agencies to proceed with the approved projects immediately.
The Cooperative Promotion Department, in collaboration with BAAC, will implement a loan program for rice collection and value addition, starting with a pilot in Roi Et Province. The nationwide rollout is set for November 1st. The program will offer loans to delay the sale of paddy rice for the 2025/26 production year, with prices set as follows: Jasmine rice at 13,000 baht/ton, Jasmine rice outside the area at 11,500 baht/ton, White rice at 8,000 baht/ton, Pathum Thani rice at 9,000 baht/ton, and Glutinous rice at 10,000 baht/ton.
The Ministry of Agriculture expects this measure to enhance liquidity for farmers and agricultural institutions during the harvest season, helping to maintain rice prices at levels that reflect the production costs of Thai farmers.