Noppol is confident that Pheu Thai will manage agricultural water supply so that farmers will not lack water for rice farming. He urged accelerating the development of jasmine rice varieties to increase farmers' incomes and believes that Thai rice continues to be in demand in the global market. Tags: [Pheu Thai Party, agriculture, water management, jasmine rice, farmers' income, Thai rice export]
On 23 March 2026, Noppol Luengthongnara, MP for Phitsanulok from Pheu Thai, said the drought situation this year is expected to become clearer by mid-2026. However, the severity depends on how relevant agencies manage it. He particularly criticized the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives under previous governments for failing in water management, causing many farmers to face water shortages for rice cultivation. Even in areas near reservoirs, the Royal Irrigation Department claimed the water was reserved for other missions and could not be allocated to farmers, leaving hundreds of thousands of rai of rice fields to wither from lack of water supply.Tags: [drought, water shortage, agriculture ministry, Royal Irrigation Department, rice farming]
Noppol added that in 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture under Pheu Thai’s oversight has prepared an effective water management plan. This includes studying and devising guidelines to manage water resources to benefit farmers as much as possible. Pheu Thai places farmers at the core of its policies, so preparing to solve problems for farmers nationwide is a key goal. This also involves increasing productivity to ensure farmers produce quality crops that meet the needs of customers both domestically and abroad.Tags: [water management plan, farmer-centered policy, productivity, crop quality, domestic and international markets]
"I am confident that the government’s work between the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture will integrate efforts to maximize benefits for farmers. Production and marketing must work hand in hand, especially for quality agricultural products like rice, to export to customers overseas. Thai jasmine rice remains in demand worldwide. Therefore, if the Ministry of Agriculture can produce high-quality jasmine rice and the Ministry of Commerce can find markets to absorb it, it will certainly increase farmers' incomes," he said.Tags: [government cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, export, jasmine rice, farmers' income] Noppol concluded his remarks.Tags: [statement conclusion, politician remarks]