Bangkok, July 26 – Center for International Trade Studies Suggests the new government to reform rice and Thai farmers instead of price intervention after 10 years, Thai farmers until the debt is flooded
Att Pisanwanich, director of the Center for International Trade Studies, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, urged the new government to help solve farmers' problems. Solve the problem of rice on the spot The latter found that during the 10-year period (2012-2022), the yield of rice per rai in Thailand decreased. The study found that Thai rice yields were three times lower than those of Vietnam (Thailand averaged 450 kilograms per rai, Vietnam over 1000 kilograms per rai or more than 1 ton per rai), where production costs increased by more than 2000 baht per rai, but incomes decreased. Almost 800 baht per rai. Thai farmers have a career in farming but are not professional farmers, while Vietnam is a professional farmer. Most Thai farmers think only 2 things: price and productivity, not thinking about reducing costs. Thai farmers pay off their debts by selling their fields. Farmers with accumulated losses from farming have to sell their fields and rent their own fields to continue farming. Past government policies have not been able to pay off debts for farmers. Thailand faces the problem of insufficient water resources and global warming. little research money, Thai remittances 200 million baht in research, but Vietnam sends 3000 million baht, while India, China and Japan put more money on rice research. $1,000,000,000 per year
Market intervention policies destroying competitiveness do not solve the real problem of rice hunger. The more Thai people do farming, the more debt they increase because the cost of production increases. The yield per rai has decreased, the selling price has decreased. Thai rice does not meet the needs of modern consumers. Consumer behavior has changed to be more health-conscious. Fragrant and soft rice is in demand. The identity of Thai rice is diminished, especially the aroma and softness because of adulteration and acceleration of production on land that lacks quality and control of the distribution of rice varieties. The distribution of rice varieties to control the quality of Vietnamese rice is better than Thailand.
Therefore, Thailand should look at its competitors as a mirror. How he develops rice and farmers into a positive income We can't ignore looking at the global market, can't ignore our potential. With the words that it's okay if the price of rice goes down, he intervenes. The government should use the money used to intervene in the price of agricultural products as a reward for farmers who can reduce costs. can increase productivity
However, the government should look back and solve the real problems of farmers, otherwise Thailand's competitiveness will deteriorate. because rice is a time bomb
“The new government should solve the vicious cycle of Thai rice. that farmers have high costs, low incomes by a comprehensive reform of Thai rice, using 10 dead spots to find solutions Because Thai rice is like a time bomb. Day by day, there will only be a decline. 10 years ago, the farmer had no debt, but nowadays Farmers have an average of 100,000-300,000 baht per household in debt, owing to the BAAC and selling agricultural inputs and materials. Most importantly, it should not interfere with the market because over the past 20 years, no matter what era, government policies have not made farmers have higher incomes. At the same time, it also reduces the amount of money in the pocket,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Att.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. At said, also said that The new government should think about water as much as possible. Because from now on, water will be a big problem for farmers. Soft Lone may be considered to develop water sources for farmers and communities.
As for solving farmers' debts, we have to go into the problem of what it actually is. In the past, farmers solved their debts by selling their fields. To use the money to pay the debt, so there should be serious debt correction. Past policies have not solved the debt problem. A serious debt solution is to reduce production costs. Improve productivity per rai Not only rice, but also other agriculture And Thailand should focus on premium rice, organic rice, healthy rice and make jasmine rice return to its original aroma. because nowadays jasmine rice smells less from the rush of production
However, Thai rice still has a chance. Because this year, Vietnam reduced rice exports. together with many countries experiencing drought Including the problem of Russia withdrawing from the Black Sea Agreement. Wheat from Ukraine is not available in the world market. Therefore, this is an opportunity for Thai rice to replace wheat. But there is still a risk from the El Niño problem that may affect the production. may not be able to export rice as targeted
and if the government can be established later than August Thai exports may be negative by 2% due to lack of budget for marketing and public relations. Therefore, there should be a government to be set up quickly. Importantly, it also affects the confidence of foreign investors, may move to invest in other countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia under the scenario of setting up a delayed government. will cause the Thai economy to grow similar to that of Myanmar, which is just a little more than 2, which is the slowest growing in ASEAN.-Thai News Agency
Source: Thai News Agency