Govt begins buying up rice paddy to help farmers amid slump in prices
Government agencies have begun implementing measures aimed at helping rice farmers sell their produce amid declining paddy prices. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is buying up paddy of Hom Mali fragrant rice from farmers throughout the country, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikalya said on November 2, adding that the paddy bought from farmers would be milled and packaged for sale. “Consumers will be able to buy quality rice obtained directly from farmers,” he said, with orders available through the Marketing Organisation for Farmers website, Ortorkor.com. Chatchai said that the MOF would also hold a “Thai Rice Festival to Help Farmers” as a channel to distribute the rice output onto the market. The festival will be held from November 5 to November 23, according to MOF director Kamolwit Kaewfak, who said that there would be a campaign for state agencies, businesses and members of the public to give rice as New Year presents.
