Thailand's farmers are calling on the next government to help alleviate their debt crisis, driven largely by high production costs. Pramote Charoensilp, president of the Thai Farmers' Association, said most of them are landless farmers renting small plots of land to grow rice.
“Most farmers are saddled with debt. We want the next government to address this problem. About 4.6 million families, or 20 million people, are involved in agriculture, covering more than 62 million rai [24.5 million acres]. They form an important economic sector countries," Pramote said.
He also urged the government to help farmers reduce production costs by reducing the cost of fertilizer, pesticides, fuel and electricity. This will make them more competitive with farmers in neighboring countries.
Association Vice President Decha Nutalai estimated that more than 90% of Thai farmers are in debt.
"We want the new government to address this issue and develop ways to help farmers reduce or release their debt burden," he said.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, there are about 8 million families in Thailand who are farmers, and 4.6 million of them grow rice, helping to make Thailand a leading exporter of rice.
A survey by the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that about 70% of Thailand's farming families have debts ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 baht.
"Most of the debts were accumulated over the past five years. Prior to this period, the amount of farmers' debt was not so large," he said.
