Bananas are an option, not replacement for rice: Pichai
(VAN) The commerce minister clarifies that though the government is promoting high-value crops like bananas, its priority remains stabilising rice prices.
Pichai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring farmers have sustainable long-term incomes through improved product development and export expansion, rather than relying solely on short-term financial aid.
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has dismissed claims that the government is encouraging farmers to replace rice cultivation with banana farming, saying such assertions are “simply inaccurate”.
Speaking on a television news show on Thursday, Pichai clarified that the government is exploring ways to ease the plight of rice farmers, which he dubbed the “suffering of the nation”, and implementing urgent measures to address falling rice prices.
The recent slump in rice prices has been linked to India resuming its rice exports, increasing global supply. In response, the Thai government has introduced a short-term financial aid of 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 10 rai per household. This was implemented after consultations with rice farmers through the National Rice Policy Committee.
For medium and long-term solutions, the government is focusing on improving agricultural productivity and market access. The Commerce Ministry has planted 150,000 banana trees as a pilot project, targeting the high-demand Japanese market.
Simultaneously, efforts are underway to enhance rice yields, which currently stand at 600 to 800 kilograms per rai – far lower than Vietnam’s 1.3 to 1.5 tonnes per rai.
Market expansion remains a priority, with Thailand securing recent orders for 280,000 tonnes of rice from China and 390,000 tonnes from African nations. Additional measures include discussions with other rice-exporting nations to stabilise prices and new strategies to distribute Thai rice through modern trade channels.
Pichai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring farmers have sustainable long-term incomes through improved product development and export expansion, rather than relying solely on short-term financial aid.
The ministry monitors agricultural prices daily, emphasising that rice remains Thailand’s staple crop, with no plans for a large-scale shift to alternative farming.
Pichai Naripthaphan:
“It’s not about switching from rice to bananas,” he said. “In areas where bananas can be grown profitably, farmers can consider them as an additional source of income. But we are not pushing for a nationwide switch.”
(VAN) After the institutional merger, Da Nang possesses significant forest-carbon reserves and is proactively engaging in the carbon market, creating a new revenue stream.
(VAN) An Giang strengthens communication against IUU fishing, increases inspections and sanctions, and is determined to remove the EC’s “yellow card” while developing a sustainable fisheries sector.
(VAN) As green transition becomes a global trajectory, Viet Nam’s biggest challenge is not only technology and models, but how to ensure that capital flows reach the right beneficiaries.
(VAN) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment must spearhead the construction of green governance, spanning decision-making processes and investment standards to policy evaluation mechanisms.
(VAN) The Agriculture and Environment sector of Khanh Hoa has achieved numerous milestones over the past 80 years, contributing significantly to the goal of establishing the province as a centrally governed city by 2030.
(VAN) Viet Nam is entering the pivotal period of 2025-2030, moving toward the formulation of the Remote Sensing Law, which will establish a legal foundation for the development of national digital data.
(VAN) The agricultural sector is finalizing the strategic framework for emission reduction, setting the goal of sharply cutting methane and 403.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent and moving toward Net Zero by 2050.
