ID :
290014
Wed, 06/19/2013 - 13:52
Auther :

Thai Cabinet cuts paddy pledge price to Bt12,000/tonne

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has resolved that the paddy pledge price offered to local farmers be reduced to 12,000 baht per tonne, from 15,000 baht per tonne, effective from June 30, 2013. Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Varathep Rattanakorn told journalists on Wednesday that the Thai Cabinet made the decision, as proposed by the National Rice Policy Committee, at its special meeting in Bangkok earlier in the day. Varathep acknowledged that the Thai Cabinet also resolved that each household of rice farmers be limited to pledge their paddy totally worth 500,000 baht with the government, effective from June 20, 2013. According to the minister, once the Cabinet's new resolutions taking effect, concerned authorities will protect local farmers from attempts to lower their paddy prices with claims of contaminants and moisture and they will also prevent false reports of rice cultivation. The minister insisted that the Cabinet's new resolution on the 12,000-baht pledge price does not contradict its past resolution, which set the paddy pledge price at 15,000 baht per tonne as earlier announced to the Thai Parliament, as the new price is introduced in line with the market mechanism. The minister said government officials are explaining reasons for the paddy pledge price reduction to local farmers to convince them not to stage any protest. (TNA)

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