Agriculture Ministry Approves Rice Insurance Premium Subsidies for Farms Up to 10 Rai to Combat El Niño Impacts

The Agriculture Ministry has approved a rice insurance subsidy program for the 2025 crop year, with a focus on comprehensive support for smallholder farmers. Permanent Secretary Winatroj Sapsongsuk announced the decision after chairing the first meeting of the agricultural insurance promotion committee, attended by Piraphan Khotong, secretary-general of the Agricultural Economics Office, and relevant agencies. The committee endorsed a hybrid insurance model emphasizing broad coverage of small-scale farmers. The government and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will jointly fund insurance premiums for smallholder farmers and BAAC customer groups, covering cultivation areas of no more than 10 rai per household, providing protection against natural risks, particularly severe drought and sudden flooding that may occur under El Niño conditions. The committee urged the secretariat to accelerate submission of the resolution to the BAAC board and the National Rice Policy and Management Committee by June to coincide with planting seasons and when farmers most need protection. The initiative aims to serve as a prototype for integrating digital data between government and private agencies, allowing farmers maximum benefits and peace of mind through a unified, rapid assistance system nationwide. Additionally, the committee approved modernizing the insurance system with greater efficiency by incorporating advanced satellite imagery technology alongside existing assessment methods to increase accuracy and speed in paying compensation to farmers within 7 to 14 days. Simultaneously, the committee recommended bolstering farmer confidence through risk management education programs, enabling farmers to adapt effectively and plan cultivation efficiently. This represents a transition from providing temporary relief to establishing systematic livelihood security using international standard insurance mechanisms as a primary tool to protect production and ensure sustainable livelihoods.