ID :
9431
Thu, 06/05/2008 - 18:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/9431
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RICE-PLEDGING PROCESS NEEDS A FEW DAYS
Bangkok, June 5 (TNA) – Several procedures must be completed before Thai farmers can pledge their paddy crops with the government's Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) under the government-supported scheme, according to BAAC president Thiraphong Tangthirasunan.
In an effort to shore up falling paddy prices and contain protests by farmers, the government on Wednesday came up with a rice-pledging programme under which it will be able to buy the upcoming second crop at Bt14,000 per tonne by the middle of June.
Announcing the rice pledging policy for the second crop announced by the government, Mr. Thiraphong said although the policy would take effect immediately, it did not mean the farmers could pledge their crops as of today.
Rather, it means that procedures for the rice-pledging programmeimplementation will begin under which the scheme would be proposed to the Committee on Relief Policy and Measures for Farmers and the Committee on National Rice Policy for consideration.
Then, the plan will be sent to the cabinet for consideration and approval next week.
Mr. Thiraphong said the procedures must be properly carried out with other main participating agencies.
Equally important, the paddy must be milled immediately when pledged rather than warehoused to prevent rice with high moisture from sustaining damage.
"Today, we will invite rice millers and all parties concerned to meet at (the BAAC) office to discuss how to pledge and process rice in a systematic and transparent manner. We don't want anyone to complain aboutcorruption in the rice-pledging process," he said.
Prasit Boonchoey, president of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, said he was uneasy with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's announcement the government would begin to take rice-pledging immediately because theprocess needs to take time.
His move was apparently made to avert protests from farmers who earlier threatened to rally Friday and block major roads in and out of the capital if the government failed to take urgent measures to shore up the decliningpaddy prices.
Upon acknowledgement of the government's intention in the rice-pledging,Mr. Prasit said the farmers would not go ahead with their protests.
They are also willing to cooperate in facilitating the procedures so thatthe rice-pledging could be taken by June 15, he added.
In an effort to shore up falling paddy prices and contain protests by farmers, the government on Wednesday came up with a rice-pledging programme under which it will be able to buy the upcoming second crop at Bt14,000 per tonne by the middle of June.
Announcing the rice pledging policy for the second crop announced by the government, Mr. Thiraphong said although the policy would take effect immediately, it did not mean the farmers could pledge their crops as of today.
Rather, it means that procedures for the rice-pledging programmeimplementation will begin under which the scheme would be proposed to the Committee on Relief Policy and Measures for Farmers and the Committee on National Rice Policy for consideration.
Then, the plan will be sent to the cabinet for consideration and approval next week.
Mr. Thiraphong said the procedures must be properly carried out with other main participating agencies.
Equally important, the paddy must be milled immediately when pledged rather than warehoused to prevent rice with high moisture from sustaining damage.
"Today, we will invite rice millers and all parties concerned to meet at (the BAAC) office to discuss how to pledge and process rice in a systematic and transparent manner. We don't want anyone to complain aboutcorruption in the rice-pledging process," he said.
Prasit Boonchoey, president of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, said he was uneasy with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's announcement the government would begin to take rice-pledging immediately because theprocess needs to take time.
His move was apparently made to avert protests from farmers who earlier threatened to rally Friday and block major roads in and out of the capital if the government failed to take urgent measures to shore up the decliningpaddy prices.
Upon acknowledgement of the government's intention in the rice-pledging,Mr. Prasit said the farmers would not go ahead with their protests.
They are also willing to cooperate in facilitating the procedures so thatthe rice-pledging could be taken by June 15, he added.
