Government Approves 1.85 Billion Baht Rice Farmer Support

The Internal Trade Department is accelerating discussions on measures to help rice farmers reduce costs and boost production efficiency in practical, situation-appropriate ways, while maintaining rice price stabilization efforts. Witthayakorn Manirat, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, reported that the National Rice Policy and Management Committee's production subcommittee is consulting on additional farmer support covering management assistance, cost reduction, and production efficiency improvements. The proposed measures will align with policies already approved to ensure targeted help that fits the current situation and can be implemented effectively, with conclusions expected soon.

Previously, on June 11, 2025, the committee approved five measures including a rough rice sales deferral credit programme targeting 3 million tonnes, an agricultural institution rice consolidation credit programme for 1.5 million tonnes, interest compensation for mill operators storing 4 million tonnes of rough rice over 2–6 months, a rough rice absorption programme through the State Warehousing Organization purchasing at 300 baht per tonne for 3 million tonnes, and a second phase premium rice programme supporting 266 farmer groups with 300,000 baht per group for machinery and equipment. Total approved funding reaches 12.04 billion baht.

The director-general stated these five programmes will serve as key mechanisms to absorb output, defer rice sales during peak harvest, improve liquidity for agricultural institutions and operators, and raise production efficiency—all supporting rice price stability and farmer incomes. Supplementary assistance measures under consideration will align with existing programmes and address cost reduction and efficiency improvements.