Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved outstanding payments of 447 million baht to sugarcane farmers, as revealed by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry. The Cabinet meeting sanctioned an additional 447.04 million baht to aid sugarcane farmers in harvesting high-quality fresh sugarcane, aimed at reducing PM 2.5 dust during the 2024/2025 production season. This decision encompasses 4,667 contracts amounting to a total of 6.91 million tons, as proposed by the Ministry of Industry. This amount is supplementary to the previously approved 5,175 million baht allocated specifically for high-quality fresh sugarcane.
According to Thai News Agency, the allocation is divided into three groups. Group 1 includes sugarcane farmers who do not burn sugarcane but have contaminants not exceeding 5%. The excess will be deducted, and only the good portion will be paid. This group covers 1,053 contracts, involving 5.96 million tons of sugarcane, with assistance amounting to 411.10 million baht.
Group 2 comprises 3,505 contracted farmers who supply 100% fresh sugarcane to ethanol production plants. The total assistance for this ethanol group amounts to 62.34 million baht, involving over 900,000 tons of sugarcane. Group 3 consists of farmers supplying 100% fresh sugarcane to 109 brown sugar factories under contract, with assistance totaling 3.61 million baht, utilizing an additional budget of 477.04 million baht.
Mr. Varawut expressed his congratulations to all sugarcane farmers, acknowledging the approval of funds as promised by the Ministry of Industry. He apologized for the slight delay, stating, "Congratulations to all sugarcane farmers. The funds have been approved as promised by the Ministry of Industry. I apologize for the slight delay, but better late than never. Congratulations to all."