The prime minister will preside over the official launch of the rice pledging scheme at Government House on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to officially open the pledging scheme for in-season rice paddy for the 2011/2012 harvest season at Government House on October 6.

Provincial governors and heads of relevant agencies were ordered to attend the event to be briefed on the policy's details.

On October 7, which is the first day of rice pledging scheme registration, the Prime Minister will visit the ad-hoc operation center for the rice pledging program at the Commerce Ministry.

This is where the premier will be able to observe and monitor online rice pledging activities.

The premier is also expected to visit a number of milling plants that have signed up to participate in the program this afternoon.

Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol affirmed that the government is fully ready to launch the rice pledging program according to the original schedule.

The minister said the premier has demanded relevant agencies monitor the pledging process to combat corruption and ensure that farmers will benefit the most from the program.

Responding to the call for the government to address the low tapioca price, Poom said the Commerce Ministry will hold talks with relevant agencies, tapioca dealers and manufacturers before submitting a proposal to the National Tapioca Policy Committee in two weeks.

He added the government has yet to decide whether to intervene in market prices as demanded by farmers.

Tapioca is currently selling at less than two baht per kilogram.

Source: TANN