Rice farmers in Surin province are taking turns to guard their harvested grain around the clock against thieves targeting their high-value fragrant Hom Mali rice.
Harvested rice grain drying on the road, with rain clouds ominously approaching (Photo by Nopparat Kingkaew) (Photo by Nopparat Kingkaew)
Farmers in most villages in Muang, Sikhoraphum and Chom Phra districts on Tuesday began drying their harvested grain on roads, in yards and on school sport fields to reduce the moisture content before selling their crop to rice mills. .
The Rice Department, part of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, earlier reported that Hom Mali rice with humidty of 15% was priced at 15,700 baht per tonne.
As rice theft occurs every year, local residents are taking turns guard their drying grain night and day. Their fields have produced very welcome high yields this year as there were no disastrous floods as in recent years. Most farmers grow the Hom Mali Kor Khor-15 rice variety.
Farmer Atcharaporn Ammin, 54, of tambon Ta-ong in Muang district, said paddy spread out to dry outside was targeted by thieves who arrived in pickup trucks to make off with unguarded grain. She lives with her two two daughters and dries her rice during the day, rebagging it and storing it inside at night. It is hard work, but safer.
Farmer Suput Pramernchai, 52, whose fields are nearby, said drying the rice took about three days, if it did not rain.
As there was not enough space at their homes, many farmers opted to dry their paddy in yards and school fields. To prevent their crops being stolen, they arranged teams of volunteers to guard their drying rice night and day, he said. There were 4-5 dogs also helping guard the paddy, he added.
With the rice price down this year, farmers were also given a state subsidy of 1,000 baht per rai.
The subsidy, approved by the cabinet on Oct 1, allows registered rice growers to receive 1,000 baht per rai, with a maximum payment of 15,000 baht each, whether they own the land or lease it. The total budget is 40 billion baht.
Meanwhile, the Ta-ong tambon administrative organisation (TAO) on Tuesday defended its action to charge operators or rice harvesters a fee of up to 500-baht each.
Sahas Yingyongyut, chairman of Ta-ong TAO in Muang district, said the fee collection was in line with the local administrative body’s ordinance issued on Feb 3 this year.
Operators of rice harvesters from outside the tambon are required to pay 500 baht each to the TAO for working in the tambon, while local residents operating harvesters are charged 300 baht each. The revenue is used for local development, said Mr Sahas.
The TAO's warning that people operating rice harvesters in the tambon without paying the fee could be fined 2,000 baht drew onlne criticism.
Many posters questioned whether the local administrative body had the right to collect the rice-harvester fees.