The Thai government has introduced a financial assistance program for rice farmers during the 2024/25 production season, offering 1,000 baht per rai of farmland, with a cap of 10 rai per household. The initiative, aimed at alleviating financial burdens and improving farming efficiency, provides a maximum payout of 10,000 baht per family. Targeting 4.61 million farming households, the program comes with a budget allocation of 38.58 billion baht.
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will oversee the distribution of funds, which will be rolled out regionally in phases. Payments commence today, December 16, for farmers in the northern region. Farmers in other regions are scheduled to receive their payments by December 20, ensuring support is delivered promptly across the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has prepared a comprehensive list of eligible farmers to facilitate timely disbursements.
To confirm eligibility and payment status, farmers can access the e-Farmer portal by entering their identification details. Additionally, the BAAC provides verification options through its Chongkho system, mobile app, and ATMs. Those subscribed to the bank’s SMS notification service will receive payment alerts. Farmers can also visit local BAAC branches for further assistance.
The financial aid program is expected to offer significant relief to rice farmers by addressing financial pressures during the production cycle. Alongside supporting their livelihoods, the initiative encourages cost-effective and sustainable farming practices to enhance long-term productivity.
Officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the BAAC, emphasized the importance of this initiative in safeguarding the agricultural sector and ensuring economic stability for millions of farming families nationwide.
