Politics
Corn Farmers Petition Government Over Price Crisis and GMO Imports
Corn farmers in Phetchabun have formally requested government intervention to address rising production costs and the impact of imported GMO corn on local market prices.
On August 26, 2026, a group of animal feed corn farmers, led by representative Teerawat Rangsikarpum, submitted a formal petition to the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives. The farmers are seeking urgent government action to mitigate a severe decline in corn prices, which they claim is being exacerbated by the importation of foreign corn, including GMO varieties.
According to the petition, production costs for the 2026 season have surged by 1,050 baht per rai. Farmers report that the actual production cost for corn at 30% moisture has reached 6.76 baht per kilogram, leading to significant financial losses that many producers can no longer sustain. The group has urged the committee, chaired by Noppol Luangthongnara, to review current import policies to protect local livelihoods.
For residents and those involved in the agricultural sector, this situation highlights potential volatility in local food supply chains and the ongoing debate regarding agricultural trade policies. While the committee has received the complaint, it remains to be confirmed what specific policy adjustments or relief measures the government will implement in response to these demands. Travelers are unlikely to be directly affected, though the issue underscores broader economic pressures currently facing Thailand's rural provinces.