Agriculture Ministry Official Denies 16 Million Baht Price Tag for EV Tractors
A senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has refuted claims that EV tractors under a government project cost 16 million baht each.
On October 16, 2026, Sorawut Nuangjamnong, Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed public concerns regarding the procurement costs of electric tractors. He explicitly denied reports suggesting that each unit costs 16 million baht, labeling the figure as highly inaccurate and unrealistic.
According to Sorawut, the project, initiated by the Rice Department, aims to reduce operational costs for farmers struggling with high energy, fuel, and fertilizer prices caused by global conflicts. He emphasized that all government budget requests, including those for agricultural machinery, undergo rigorous multi-agency audits to ensure prices align with market standards. He estimated that the actual cost per unit is likely between 1 to 2 million baht.
For residents and those interested in Thailand’s agricultural sector, this clarification highlights the government's ongoing efforts to modernize farming equipment to mitigate rising production costs. While the official has provided a significantly lower price estimate, the specific procurement details and the final contract values for these electric tractors remain subject to ongoing administrative oversight and verification. Further updates are expected as the project progresses through official auditing channels.
