The new season of government’s rice pledging program is set to commence on October 1st, as the cabinet has approved a budget of 270 billion baht for the new scheme.

According to Director of Internal Trade Department Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa, the cabinet meeting on September 3rd gave a nod to the proposed budget of 270 billion baht for the new season of rice pledging program. The pledging price has been set at 15,000 baht per ton, with the maximum of 350,000 baht per farming household. The 2013/2014 rice program will begin on October 1st and will run through February next year.

She further revealed that the off-season paddy will be pledged at the price of 13,000 baht per ton, with the maximum value of 300,000 baht per farmer.

She said around 16.5 million tons of rice is expected to be pledged in the 2013/2014 season, while affirming that all officials will be working under strict measures to make sure there will be no corruption. CCTVs will be installed in rice mills and pledging stations to monitor each transaction.

Source: National News Bureau & Public Relations