The government is extending its rice pledging scheme to include second-crop paddy after the first-crop portion ends.

Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong insisted the government stood firm in its policy to allow farmers to pledge all grains despite rumours that the government would limit the quantity.

The minister met with millers yesterday to discuss details of the scheme. Millers asked for it to be introduced nationwide at the same time and not delayed in the South as announced.

Some millers told Mr Kittiratt they did not want to join the scheme for fear of being accused of corruption. The minister responded that politicians and civil servants had also been accused, and the only way to counter such allegations is through transparent actions.

The government has tasked several agencies with fighting corruption in the scheme including the Interior Ministry and the Department of Special Investigation along with the police.

The Thai Rice Mills Association had estimated more than 900 millers would join the programme, but so far fewer than 650 have registered.

An estimated 8.8 million rai of rice fields have been ravaged by floods and heavy rains in the past two months.

The Agriculture Ministry expects this will shave 4.5 million tonnes of paddy off the forecast of 27 million tonnes this season.

The cabinet this week agreed to an additional 7.2 billion baht for relief efforts, covering payouts of 1,437 baht to farmers for each tonne of paddy they sold before the pledging scheme starts next Friday.

Floods have soaked the grain, and high moisture content leads to lower selling prices.

If most of their harvest area is affected, then farmers also have access to funding for rice seed in the volume of 10 kilogramme per rai with a maximum 10 rai per farmer.

Source: Bangkok Post