Bangkok: BAAC raises the level of SMEs and farmers leading the movement. Adding knowledge about production to high value agriculture Participate in debt repayment occupational rehabilitation Escape the debt trap sustainably Mr. Narong Khantiviriyakul Deputy Manager of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) presided over the opening ceremony of the project 'Raising the level of agricultural SMEs at the head of the movement to become the core of Thai agriculture. for the rehabilitation of small farmers participating in the debt moratorium project' under the principle of 'led market, additional innovation, increased income' by leading farmers at the head of the procession and agricultural SME entrepreneurs in each area across the country Come join in supporting small farmers who participate in the debt moratorium measures. To be able to restore occupation It has the potential to produce and process products. To create additional value and have more income which leads to a sustainable esca pe from the debt trap With a management team Farmers leading the procession, agricultural SME entrepreneurs and BAAC employees joined the activity at the BAAC Tower Building, Head Office, Bangkok. In this regard, as the Cabinet has resolved to approve the BAAC to implement debt moratorium measures for small farmers in the period 2024 - 2026, along with setting criteria for farmers participating in the measures to participate in knowledge enhancement and skills rehabilitation. In pursuing a career under the guidelines of "leading market, supplementing innovation Increase new income,' targeting 900,000 farmers to expand investment in occupations Improving production efficiency even further and increase liquidity for small farmers so that they can have enough remaining income to cover necessary household expenses. This leads to improving the quality of life of farmers and increasing purchasing power in the grassroots economy. As for the BAAC, it has joined hands with networks from both the public, private and educational institutions to enhance knowledge in career development. Increasing production potential Processing into high value agriculture Both using technology and innovation in processing and developing products. to leading farmers and SME entrepreneurs to transfer knowledge to small farmers participating in the debt moratorium measures It starts with adjusting the way of thinking, for example, before starting production, ask the question: What are you selling? Who is selling? When is it on sale? Where is it sold? Selling quantity? Selling price? Including being able to connect to the market from upstream midstream and downstream between entrepreneurs and small farmers, such as purchasing produce Hiring workers in the area or being a mentor to small farmers in developing their production potential, etc. Ready to organize a seminar on 'Raising the level of agricultural SMEs at the top of the movement to become the core of Thai agriculture. for the rehabilitation of small farmers participating in the debt m oratorium project' by bringing together a network of government agencies, including the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Department of Agricultural Extension Department of Industrial Promotion A network of SME entrepreneurs and farmers, leading the procession, the New Gen and Young Smart Farmer groups, in the Design and Manage by Area (DandMBA) project of BAAC nationwide, totaling 10 people, came to brainstorm and exchange views. in supporting farmers in their careers To create jobs, generate income, and lead to a direct and sustainable solution to farmers' debt problems. The BAAC is also ready to support funding with lenient interest rates for small farmers participating in the small debt moratorium measures through appropriate loan products to restore their livelihoods. The maximum credit limit does not exceed 100,000 baht for use in procuring production factors and production technology. Helps farmers reduce costs and increase production potential, leading to sustainable inc ome generation Source: Thai News Agency