The government plans to reschedule its rice price-intervention period for the next crop by moving it up two months.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut said his ministry agreed with the panel on production of the Rice Policy Committee to run the 2012-13 pledging programme from Aug 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013.

This replaces the previous schedule of Oct 1, 2012 to Sept 30, 2013.

The government arranged its regular pledging scheme twice a year to suit Thailand's planting seasons.
Mr Theera said the change is aimed at keeping up with supply, as many farmers changed their cultivation schedule after last year's floods.

Recurrent blows to Thailand's rice industry such as rampant plant diseases, drought and flooding have driven agriculture officials to adjust the rice planting times.

Farmers in 22 provinces along the Chao Phraya River basin and those accessing the state's irrigation system have been encouraged to plant only two crops a year and reschedule their farming.

Starting last year, second-crop farming was suggested for December, with harvesting in March and April.
They were able to continue the main crop for harvesting no later than August.

The limit to two crops a year could help with infestation and save 112 billion baht a year on pesticides and insecticides while reducing 7,500 tonnes of these chemicals.

Meanwhile, the Rice Department plans to limit its role in supplying rice seed at 60,000 tonnes by 2016.

Instead it will promote farm cooperatives, rice communities and private companies producing and supplying the seed, so long as it meets the standards set by the Rice Department, said director-general Chairit Damrongkiat.

The department supplies 100,000 tonnes of rice seed, about 10% of annual demand.

He said as other parties, including farm cooperatives, increasingly produce rice seed for their own use, quality criteria are essential.

The department has trained its officials to evaluate quality before verifying seeds.

Source: Bangkok Post