Supachai chaired the first meeting of the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee (NRPAC) for the 2026/27 rice season, approving five measures to maintain rice market stability with a total budget of 59 billion baht. The president of the Thai Farmers Association supported the aid measure of 2,000 baht per rai along with fertilizer coupons to reduce production costs,
On 11 June 2026 GMT+7, Mrs. Supachai Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, chaired the first meeting of the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee (NRPAC) for 2026. Opening the meeting, she said that recent conflicts in the Middle East have put considerable pressure on production chains, including rising energy prices affecting production and transportation costs, resulting in increased costs for farmers. Furthermore, the anticipated El Niño weather phenomenon this year poses risks to agricultural output.
The government recognizes that all these problems and challenges require reviewing existing standards to manage the situation realistically. This will allow clear reflection of challenges and concrete problem-solving. The entire process must be managed carefully, from production and collection to expanding the rice market.
“Today’s measures aim to comprehensively cover all aspects, based on three principles: first, managing prices at appropriate levels; second, enhancing Thailand’s rice competitiveness in quality, standards, and logistics; and third, creating market stability both domestically and internationally,” said Mrs. Supachai.
Mr. Pramote Charoensilp, president of the Thai Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, revealed that the NRPAC meeting approved measures to stabilize paddy rice prices for the 2026/27 production year and long-term structural improvements under the framework “New Rice Economy.” Five projects totaling approximately 59.4 billion baht are planned, to be submitted to the Cabinet for further approval.
They include:
1. Paddy Rice Sale Delay Loan Program for the 2026/27 season with a total budget of 41,483.33 million baht, divided into 34,275.00 million baht in loan funds and 7,208.33 million baht in subsidies.
2. Loan Program for Rice Collection and Value Addition by Farmer Institutions for 2026/27, totaling 15,656.25 million baht, including 15,000.00 million baht in loans and 656.25 million baht in subsidies.
3. Interest Subsidy Program for Rice Traders to Maintain Stock for 2026/27, with a total budget of 564.00 million baht, fully allocated as subsidies.
4. Paddy Rice Absorption Program for 2026/27, with a total budget of 1,680.00 million baht, fully funded by central budget subsidies.
5. Promotion and Development Program for High-Quality Rice to Increase Farmers’ Income in 2027, with a total budget of 84.00 million baht, fully subsidized.
Regarding farmer aid measures discussed at the NRPAC meeting, the association proposed assistance for wet-season rice at 2,000 baht per rai, capped at 20 rai per household. This is an increase from the previous 1,000 baht per rai in the last production year. This proposal is currently under review by the subcommittee on rice policy and administration at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives before being submitted to the full NRPAC for approval.
Additionally, a fertilizer coupon measure was proposed to help reduce production costs. The proposal suggests supporting coupons worth 200 baht per sack, limited to 20 coupons per household, totaling up to 4,000 baht in assistance. Farmers can choose fertilizer types as needed. The NRPAC preliminarily agreed in principle and requested the proposal be submitted through the subcommittee process.
Mr. Pramote added that farmers currently face severe hardship from production costs ranging from 6,500 to 7,000 baht per rai, including fertilizer, medicine, and fuel expenses, while rice prices are about 4,500 to 6,000 baht per ton, resulting in losses. Receiving additional aid and fertilizer coupons will help alleviate these difficulties to some extent.
Regarding rice field insurance measures, the NRPAC agreed to reconsider them due to concerns about overlap with existing disaster compensation systems.
For outstanding payments for wet-season rice to farmers, the meeting approved payments to 230,000 farmers from last year’s budget of approximately 1,792 to 1,800 million baht. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has the funds ready for immediate payment once documentation is complete.
“As a representative of farmers, I have tried to explain their real hardships to the government. Overall, the direction of assistance is positive, and the measures are being expedited to reach farmers nationwide as soon as possible,” Mr. Pramote said.