Government Allocates 6 Billion Baht to Distribute Free Organic Fertilizer to Farmers Nationwide, Aims to Cut Production Costs

Agriculture Minister Suriya Chungrungreangkit has announced that the ministry is preparing to request a central budget allocation of approximately 5,000-6,000 million baht to implement a program procuring organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and bioproducts for free distribution to farmers during this growing season. The program targets comprehensive nationwide coverage across all regions and all major economic crops including rice, field crops, fruit trees, and other important agricultural products in each region.

This urgent measure aims to help reduce farmers' production costs amid ongoing global conflict and economic conditions impacting input prices, particularly chemical fertilizer prices in the world market which face risks of significant increases during the planting season.

Previous negotiations with Russia regarding fertilizer procurement received in-principle approval from the Russian Deputy Prime Minister. However, detailed examination revealed that delivery conditions could be delayed until approximately August, potentially missing the crucial window for Thai farmers' planting season.

Additionally, if delivery delays occur during the continued volatility of the conflict, global fertilizer prices could rise further, requiring consideration of supplementary support measures to prevent farmers from bearing increased costs during critical production periods.

The organic and biofertilizer distribution initiative aligns with the ministry's policy to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption and encourage farmers to transition to organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and bioproducts to lower costs, restore soil quality, and mitigate long-term risks from chemical fertilizer price fluctuations.

The ministry will assign the Department of Agricultural Extension and related agencies to conduct detailed field surveys of fertilizer requirements in each province to ensure distribution corresponds with specific crop types and actual needs of each area, such as rice-growing areas, fruit orchards, or region-specific economic crops.

The initial budget allocation is expected to utilize central funds of approximately 5,000-6,000 million baht for this growing season in a comprehensive implementation covering not just rice but all other crops, ensuring farmers nationwide can access organic and biofertilizers widely.

"The approach is to distribute fertilizer free to farmers because currently our agricultural community is suffering from both the conflict situation and economic conditions driving up costs. The government must urgently implement direct assistance measures," the minister stated.

This measure is expected to be submitted to the government for consideration shortly. If approved, it will be one of the important packages for reducing agricultural costs this season and serve as the starting point for restructuring the country's fertilizer use from dependence on imported chemical fertilizers toward increased use of organic and biofertilizers long-term.