Rice farmers have to handle the paddy mortgage procedures by themselves and show their farmer certificates issued by the Agriculture Ministry in order to enter the project, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol.

Around 3 million farmers or 60% of the total have registered to join the project. They have combined cultivation areas of 60-70 million rai. As well, 630 millers in 31 provinces are participating.

Mr Poom said officials responsible for issuing the tickets showing the amount of pledged paddy would complete the process within one day, instead of finishing it later as in the past.

Each official will look after a maximum of four millers. Provincial committees will inspect stocks of millers in their respective areas before the project formally begins Oct 7.

Under the scheme, the government aims to spend 430 billion baht to guarantee the price of fragrant Hom Mali paddy rice at 20,000 baht per tonne and premium white paddy rice at 15,000 baht.

Source: Bangkok post