The Commerce Ministry will today ask the cabinet to approve a budget of 405 billion baht to subsidise the rice pledging scheme for the 2012-2013 crop year.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said the government expects 25.88 million tonnes of rice will be pledged whereas total output is estimated at 33 million tonnes.

Of the budget, 240 billion baht is set for the main crop, 165 billion baht for the second crop, and the remainder for management and other expenses, Mr Boonsong said.