ID :
167508
Fri, 03/11/2011 - 13:42
Auther :

Thailand raises guaranteed rice prices to about Bt11,000 per ton

BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) - The Thai government confirmed on Friday Thailand's guaranteed rice prices have been raised to about 11,000 baht per ton on average and insurance for locally-grown crops will be launched late this year--following calls by farmers in several provinces that the administration cut their cultivation costs.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made the confirmation at a video conference with concerned government agencies and farmers in four Thai provinces, including Phitsanulok, Lop Buri, Roi Et and Yasothon, held at Government House in Bangkok--after the Thai Cabinet recently approved the move to suit higher production costs of Thai farmers.

Consequently, the guaranteed price of Pathum Thani 1 rice has increased from 11,000 baht to 11,500 baht per ton; while the guaranteed price of paddies has risen from 10,000 baht to 11,000 baht per ton and that of glutinous paddies has gone up from 9,500 baht to 10,000 baht per ton.

Local farmers earlier asked the Thai government to help them cut their production costs, from about 6,000 baht per rai now, caused by the rising prices of oil and chemical fertilizers. They also want the Thai government to guarantee local rice prices with moisture content of up to 30 per cent at 8,000 baht per ton and to provide them with rice seeds. In response, the Thai premier said his administration would try to freeze retail diesel prices on the domestic market at 30 baht per liter for a certain period of time and would work out other assistance measures as well.

Abhisit acknowledged that his government has been determined to solve people’s problems and has planned to introduce insurance for crops late this year with relevant details being worked out, urging troubled local farmers to file their complaints with concerned government agencies, rather than staging rallies. (TNA)

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