Farmers have welcomed benchmark prices for paddy set under a new subsidy scheme for the main 2009-10 crop, but asked the government to raise the amount of paddy that the scheme would cover.
Prasit Bunchoei, chairman of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, favours a limit of 20 tonnes per farmer from 16 tonnes now planned.
Officials on Monday set a benchmark price of 10,000 baht per tonne for 15%-moisture white rice paddy under the new subsidy scheme.
The benchmark price for Thai Hom Mali paddy was set at 15,300 baht per tonne, with general fragrant paddy at 14,800 baht and Pathum Thani at 10,000 baht.
The prices would be submitted for cabinet approval next week if the National Rice Policy Committee approves them today.
The new programme could start in November, when harvesting of the main crop begins. The government will guarantee farmers the prices quoted. If they sell rice to millers or exporters at lower than the official price, the government will pay them the difference.
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