Bangkok: The Prime Minister called for an urgent meeting to urgently resolve the problem of falling rice and agricultural product prices. The Prime Minister called the "Minister of Commerce and Minister of Agriculture" to an urgent meeting in a small group to urgently solve the problem of falling rice and agricultural product prices. He ordered the National Economic and Social Development Board to issue short-term measures to support rice prices and urgently develop quality rice varieties. He declared that the government is on the side of farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra invited Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, along with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat and Commerce Permanent Secretary Wutthikrai Leewiraphan to a small meeting at Thai Khu Fah Building, Government House. The Prime Minister expressed his concern for farmers, especially regarding the low prices of rice and agricultural products. He therefore requested that relevant agencies urgently resolve both short-term and long-term problems.
The Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives acknowledged the Prime Minister's concerns and will urgently return to a meeting with the ministry's agencies as instructed by the Prime Minister.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister posted a message on social media saying, 'The government has always been on the side of farmers and farmer brothers and sisters. We are ready to listen and will have measures to solve the problem as soon as possible.'
Today, I invited Mr. Pichai, Minister of Commerce, and Ms. Narumon, Minister of Agriculture, to meet and discuss rice and agricultural product prices, and to urgently resolve both short-term and long-term problems. Part of it is to solve the problem of planting uncertified rice varieties, which results in poor quality rice and lower prices than normal, affecting the overall rice price. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture has been ordered to urgently develop rice varieties and distribute them to farmers in sufficient quantities. As for the short-term measures to support rice prices, today's meeting of the Rice Policy and Management Committee (NPMC) will issue clear measures and submit them to the Cabinet for further approval.
Please be assured, fellow farmers and farmers that the government is giving importance to this problem and will have measures in place as soon as possible.