Rice Department Denies 16-Million-Baht Tractor Purchase Rumors
The Director-General of the Rice Department has clarified that reports of a 16-million-baht electric tractor purchase are inaccurate, stating the project is still in the study phase.
On October 15, 2026, Mr. Arnon Nonsri, Director-General of the Rice Department, addressed public concerns regarding reports of a 16-million-baht electric tractor procurement. He dismissed the figure as inaccurate, attributing the confusion to a misunderstanding of the department's ongoing initiatives.
According to the Director-General, the department is currently exploring the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy—such as solar and biomass—as part of a broader 'Low Carbon Rice' project covering one million rai. This initiative aims to reduce production costs for farmers and align with government policies to increase agricultural efficiency and income. He emphasized that any procurement process is subject to strict committee oversight, and any proposal with inflated pricing would be rejected during the initial review stages.
For residents and those interested in Thailand’s agricultural sector, this clarification highlights the government's push toward sustainable farming technologies to combat rising labor costs and an aging workforce. While the department is actively researching the use of electric machinery to replace fossil-fuel-dependent equipment, no specific high-cost procurement has been finalized. Further details regarding the budget and the specific types of machinery to be utilized remain under study, and the public is advised to await official updates as the project progresses.
