The new price of 12.000 baht that farmers will receive from June 30 for a ton of paddy (brown rice) is unacceptable. Today and tomorrow farmers will gather in various places in the country to prepare actions. The farmers feel cheated by the government.
Yesterday, on the proposal of the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC), the cabinet decided to lower the guaranteed price of 15.000 baht. Minister Varathep Rattanakorn (PM's Office) cited as reasons the changed prices on the world market, the appreciation of the baht, the increase in the supply of rice on the world market and the need to limit the loss on the mortgage system. Contrary to what was reported yesterday, the Secretary-General of the Council of State would have no objection.
Farmer representatives from XNUMX Central Plains counties are meeting today to agree on a common position. Wichian Phuanglamchiak, president of the Thai Farmers Association, believes that any reduction should not take effect until next season.
In Nakhon Nayok farmers meet today and tomorrow. According to Phrom Boonmachuay, president of the Suphan Buri Farmers Council, the price reduction is not a solution to the large losses of the mortgage system, but the root cause is corruption and a lack of transparency.
The Thai Rice Farmers Association is preparing a petition to Prime Minister Yingluck. President Prasit Boonchoey says 12.000 baht is too little. Producing a ton of paddy costs more than the 8.000 baht that Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom (Trade), chairman of the NRPC, quoted on Tuesday. In practice, 15 percent is deducted for the humidity level, so at 12.000 baht per ton, farmers are left with 9.000 to 9.500 baht per ton.
'Farmers still make a small profit, but it is too small to cover their daily living costs extended family to cover,” said Prasit.
In Chun (Phayao) today a thousand farmers are putting their heads together. They will hand over a letter to the governor, addressed to Prime Minister Yingluck, asking to maintain the 15.000 baht guaranteed price.
According to Pheu Thai parliamentarian Phaijit Sriworakhan, many of his colleagues from the Northeast are opposed to the cut. They point out that the mortgage system was one of Pheu Thai's election promises. Lowering the price is at the expense of the party's support and credibility.
Pheu Thai MP Somkid Chuakhong says the government and his colleagues will have to work very hard to explain why the cut is necessary.
(Source: Bangkok Post, June 20, 2013)
A very bad thing for the farmers. I worked as a farang in Isaan with family in the field at 38 degrees. That is definitely different from a beach day on Pattaya beach! This definitely can't come from Yingluck's “tube” [with Thaksin in the background]! Let's hope that tomorrow's conversation will yield something positive for the farmers!
Gr:Willem Schev…
Firstly, the farmers do not work more than about 6 weeks a year in the rice field. That hard work is therefore not too bad. Secondly, the 15000 baht guarantee is 3000 baht or more above the world market price. You should not reward activities that are not be profitable [there are countless other cash crops in Thailand]. Certainly not if this system has led to major corruption and the farmers have never received 15000 baht for their 1000 kg. Direct payment such as the system of the democrats is better because money then ends up the farmer and not the middle men. Third, this system costs the taxpayer 10000 baht! Hopefully the government changes the system in such a way that the money ends up in the right place.
Of course the farmers complain. You would do the same if your salary was cut. But farmers are self-employed. They blindly assume that they will get a good price regardless of the world prices. It costs the government billions every year. It is high time that the scheme was overhauled. If the farmers don't earn enough with their rice, they should look for alternatives. This is the first time in a long time that I see something good from the government.
(First of all, the farmers don't work more than about 6 weeks a year on the rice field. That hard work is not too bad.)
It is very easy to say that hard work pays off.
I have experienced myself, with my girlfriend, what they have to do for it, and the risks they run (diseases, too little water, etc..) and to think that in the region where they live (prov. Phetchabun ) they can harvest ONE time a year. And that there is almost no income, then every Bath is less of a hard blow.
Too bad; certain reactions that only approach the rice problem in a "businesslike" way show that there is absolutely no compassion for people who have to earn their entire annual salary in 6 weeks / and with a bit of luck a 2nd harvest! Since I have lived in Isaan for several years and have experienced the daily rituals up close, I also think I have some right to speak!
My advice: Let these farangs, I don't name names because that is chatting, first camp out in the countryside for a few years and then draw their conclusions!
By the way, as a foreigner I think these reactions already radiate a certain antipathy to the Thai, but that's my opinion!
Gr;Willem Scheveningen.