Thailand Govt plans major rice roadshow

Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri will head a roadshow to 10 countries from March to May with the aim of selling 2 million tonnes of rice via government-to-government contracts. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) is expecting to achieve a bumper production of boro rice in the district during the current season as more 6,858 hectares of land than the target were brought under cultivation. A scheme had been taken to bring 171,592 hectares of land under boThe government hopes to boost exports in order to shore up domestic rice prices as well as reduce its stockpile burden. Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai is preparing the plan to promote Thai rice abroad. The roadshow will visit Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Libya, Senegal, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, India, Mauritius and Singapore. A source at the ministry said the plan is to sell all types of rice: 5 per cent, 15 per cent and 25 per cent rice, sticky rice, broken rice, Pathum rice, parboiled rice and jasmine rice. Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said Thailand would lose more market share to Vietnam over the next year. He cited the dong's double depreciation this year, which has made Vietnamese rice cheaper on the global market. For instance, Vietnamese 5 per cent rice is currently quoted at US$360 (Bt11,628) per tonne, against the Thai price of $500. Due to uncompetitive pricing, Thailand's rice exports have continued to drop during the past few months. ro cultivation this season in the district with an output target of 646,860 metric tons of rice. But, the farmers have cultivated boro paddy on 178,450 hectares of land in the district, 6,858 hectares more than the previous target. The DAE is expecting to achieve new production target of 675,985 metric tons of rice. Of the total land, hybrid varieties of paddy were cultivated on 43,550 hectares of land with an output target of 208,605 metric tons while local varieties on 134,900 hectares with target of 467380 metric tons. Steps have been taken to ensure smooth supply of fertilizer, insecticide, diesel and uninterrupted electricity to achieve the target. The supply and reserve of fertilizer are sufficient this year, which is much higher than the last year, sources said. Deputy Commissioner M Abdul Jalil said all necessary measures have been taken to make the current boro season a success. Sources said the BCIC has supplied 58,032 mts of urea, 5,833.5 mts of TSP, 5,094.5 mts of MOP, 3,122.5 mts of DAP and 3,255.5 mts of SSP fertilizer in the district through 981 dealers. Farmers and DAE officials are expecting a bumper production of boro this season if weather remains favourable and pests do not invade the crops.