PM vows to take care of farmers

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) -- Addressing rice farmers marking the national Rice and Farmer's Day, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday vows to uplift the livelihood of farmers by promote marketing tools and better control market prices. A Rice and Farmers’ Day event is organized at Government House to celebrate and show appreciation towards the important of rice farmers, dubbed “backbones of the nation”. In his speech to about 300 farmers, Gen Prayut said his government hoped to align supply with market demands to curb oversupply and price depreciation. The premier urged them to plan crop cycles according to weather conditions, water supply, and market demands to prevent an oversupply of rice. The farmers from across the country also pledged to work with the government and private sector. Thailand celebrates Rice and Farmer’s Day on June 5, marking the day King Rama VIII and King Rama IX sowed rice seeds in the field in Bang Khen district. Rice and Farmer's Day event this year is held under the concept of promoting local rice strains enhanced by innovations. The focus of this year’s event is to promote rice crops of local bleeds and utilization of agro-technology to enhance their values. A national rice strategy has been established with clear directions for better lives of rice farmers; such as rice trading system development and rice marketing development, according to Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry. Gen Prayut also presented awards to farmers who contributed to development of rice farming and new rice varieties. (TNA)