Crop déjà vu: Critics dub gov’s agri-reform a rerun of past plans

The government’s current measures to reform the nation’s agricultural sector, particularly rice farming, are largely seen as reiterations of former strategies, declared industry commentators. They suggest that any budget-based support should come with certain stipulations.

Aat Pisanwanich, an international economics lecturer, after evaluating these measures, observes that the central policy appears to be a three-year debt suspension for farmers, with a cap of 300,000 baht each.

Other state strategies include the provision of 1,000 baht per rai to rice farmers, capped at 20 rai, which equates to a maximum of 20,000 baht per household. There is also the provision of loan support to agricultural cooperatives, permitting them to purchase rice at rates higher than market prices, thereby enabling profit-sharing with farmers.

In comparison…