P informs Khon Kaen producers that aid is on the way.
According to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the government intends to implement actions to alleviate people’s situation, including a ban on farmers’ debts and lower fuel and electricity pricing, with an annual GDP growth target of at least 5 %.
He was briefed on the northern province’s drought position and water control during a Friday assessment trip to the Ubolratana Dam in Khon Kaen.
After the most recent GDP benefits and prices charge were lower than anticipated, the Bank of Thailand( BoT) reduced its growth forecast for 2023 on Tuesday.
The second quarter’s GDP growth was 1.8 %, which was less than the central bank had anticipated.
According to its government Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, the BoT plans to evaluate its socioeconomic assessment this month, so this was primarily attributed to outside factors.
The regulator anticipates a 3.6 % increase in this year’s growth, with inflation anticipated to fall within the target range of 1 to 3 %.
Mr. Srettha also spoke with the local people, who expressed worry about the effects of the rainfall brought on by the El Nino conditions phenomenon.
In addition to falling crop prices and rising debts, grain farmers even lamented a lack of rice strains due to the slow development of new people.
They were reassured by Mr. Srettha that the government was addressing issues with water, such as flooding and dryness, as well as investing in agriculture and expanding irrigated locations.
As part of the short-term measures to combat dryness, he stated that the Interior Ministry will collaborate with the military and other organizations to build reservoirs and drag canals to increase water flow.
In light of the impending drought, the prime minister emphasized the necessity of ensuring adequate water supplies for the agrarian industry.
According to Mr. Srettha, the government will even consider reviving the Kong-Chi-Moon waters diversion project, which may channel water away from the Mekong River and nourish Northeastern farmland.
According to him, the job will be a long-term solution to issues related to water.
In order to store and supply water to hundreds of thousands of ray of land, 14 search rivers may be constructed in the Chi and Moon valley lakes as part of the project.
However, the task was put on hold a number of years ago due to the region’s common ground salination.
The lower incomes of farmers and the declining grain prices, according to Mr. Srettha, are a major concern.
According to him, the government has a plan to increase crop yields per rai( system of harvested place ), lower fertilizer and insecticide expenses, open new business industry, and increase their income while lowering their expenditures.
The primary secretary stated that this would also result in an increase in farmers’ gross income.
Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the deputy prime minister and international secretary, is an authority on international trade, Mr. Srettha continued.
He declared that Mr. Parnpree may look for new markets abroad and figure out how to modify trade agreements with other nations in a way that would be more advantageous to Thailand.
The anticipated embargo on farmers’ debt will also be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting, according to the prime minister.
He claimed that this action would improve the situation of producers and increase their team spirit.
He emphasized that the debt ban must be implemented in conjunction with other initiatives like cutting farmers’ costs and raising their money.
The prime minister stated that” This will be a long-term answer.”
He stated that the upcoming cabinet meeting would also look into the feasibility of implementing a potassium mining project to increase fertilizer supplies and lower prices as well as measures to lower fuel and electricity prices.
The mineral calcium is primarily used as an element in the manufacture of calcium fertilizers.
Mr. Srettha insisted that the government’s measures to address the issue of falling wheat prices would not include rice-pledging or wheat price guarantee schemes.
Except in the event of a catastrophe brought on by global price distortions, the government does not do any rice-pledging or rice price guarantee schemes, he said.
The prime minister added with assurance,” We will concentrate on boosting farmers’ online money.”