Bangkok: The National Savings Bank has approved a financial support package for farmers, offering assistance of 1,000 baht per rai, limited to 10 rai per household. This decision aims to support small-scale farmers during the current harvest season. According to Thai News Agency, the National Savings Fund (NSF) has confirmed the payment arrangement for rice harvesting costs, which will be submitted to the Cabinet on November 29. This initiative is intended to act as a New Year's gift for farmers, alongside the cancellation of the previous half-and-half fertilizer project. Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, reported that the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee (NRAC) meeting had resolved to approve this proposal from the Subcommittee on Production. The plan is expected to benefit approximately 4.68 million households, with an allocated budget of over 38 billion baht. The meeting also decided to scrap the Half-Half fertilizer project, replacing it with the di rect payment scheme of 1,000 baht per rai. The funding will come from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), which currently holds 29 billion baht, with the capacity to manage an additional 9 billion baht. This change is in response to the falling price of rice and aims to better support small-scale farmers. Mr. Pramote Charoensilp, President of the Thai Farmers and Farmers Association, expressed satisfaction with the decision, although the assistance per rai is reduced from the previous limit of 20 rai. Despite the reduction, the increase in per-rai assistance to 1,000 baht reflects an understanding of the challenges faced by small farmers. The previous fertilizer project had a budget of 29 billion baht, providing 500 baht per rai. However, Mrs. Narumon's advocacy for small farmers led to the provision of 1,000 baht per rai in the new scheme. A farmer representative noted that while they initially hoped for 1,000 baht per person for up to 20 rai, they understand the constraints of t he budget and the government's efforts to distribute 10,000 baht from the project. Additionally, funds are needed to develop sustainable water resources for farmers, making the current arrangement satisfactory.
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