Some 8.9 billion baht available from the budget integration will be allocated to support grassroots economic development in fiscal 2021.
Rachada Dhnadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, said a panel on the integration of the fiscal 2021 budget chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday approved the allocation, which is 5.9 billion baht higher than for the previous fiscal year.
The 8.9 billion baht is to finance 114 projects under the supervision of seven ministries -- Agriculture and Cooperatives; Commerce; Natural Resources and Environment; Interior; Public Health; Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; and Industry -- as well as the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Farmers Council.
The projects will be implemented for low-income earners, small-scale farmers, agricultural cooperatives and community businesses in 7,255 tambons.
Ms Rachada said the budget will mainly cover seven project types: land procurement for poor farmers and low-income earners worth 1.5 billion baht; a farm production subsidy worth 1.2 billion baht; smart farmers development worth 635 million baht; competitiveness enhancement for community businesses worth 325 million baht; community product development in 20 poverty-stricken provinces worth 1.1 billion baht; cooperatives development worth 503 million baht; and market development for farm products worth 538 million baht.
"The government aims to introduce projects to help 240,000 small-scale farmers with production factors and market access while developing occupations for 300,000 low-income earners and develop 4,300 smart farmers and community businesses," she said. "The government will also support community businesses going online to increase their revenue."
Ms Rachada said every agency has its own budget to assist the grassroots. They are then required to submit details of their plan under the budget integration strategy to the Budget Bureau by Jan 24.
She said fiscal 2021 will be the first year for the government to apply blockchain technology to pool information for agriculture and agricultural cooperatives, with a budget of 73 million baht.