Farmers in Songkhla need rice seeds

SONGKHLA, Feb 4 (TNA) -- A leader of farmers in the Southern province of Songkhla said farmers are actually needed for rice seeds to be used for the upcoming planting season, denying that there is a political hidden agenda behind the current gathering of farmers. Thaworn Sae-Aew, chairman of farmers club in Songkhla, stressed that farmers in the flooded province really wanted rice seeds after their farm was devastated by the recent flood. Believing that there would be a delay in the government assistance, farmers are instead requesting assistance from the agriculturists federation which has been helping them in the past, said Mr Thavorn. He said not less than 100,000 rai of ricefield in Songkhla was damaged by the flood and farmers need at least 2,500 tonnes of seeds and not 170 tonnes of seeds offered by the government. Also, the government financial assistance to help each household at 3,000 baht and more than 1,000 baht per rai which was damaged by the flood was insufficient, said Mr Thaworn. He asked both Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha and the government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd to travel to the province and talk to the affected farmers so that both could obtain factual information. Four districts were affected by the recent flood and villagers and farmers gathered at a temple in Ranot district two days ago, demanding the government to provide them with rice seeds. Lt Gen Sansern then said the move by farmers was politically motivated and it was stirred by some politicians in Songkhla with the aim to drive a wedge between local farmers and the military government. The spokesman said the government had already provided initial assistance to farmers affected by the flood and was working to ensure they receive all the help they needed. (TNA)