Thai Sugar Board Seeks 7 Billion Baht Subsidy for Fresh Cane Harvesting

According to a report by Matichon Online, the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) has submitted a request for a central budget allocation of 7.081 billion baht. This funding is intended to provide financial support to sugarcane farmers who practice fresh cane harvesting, with a proposed subsidy of 69 baht per ton.

The primary objective of this initiative is to incentivize farmers to avoid burning their fields during the harvest season. The OCSB has set a target to reduce the proportion of burnt sugarcane to no more than 5% of the total harvest. By providing this financial assistance, the government aims to mitigate the environmental impact associated with field burning, which is a significant contributor to air pollution and PM2.5 dust levels in Thailand.

For residents and travelers, this policy is relevant as it directly addresses the seasonal air quality issues that often affect various regions of the country. Reducing field burning is a key strategy in improving air quality during the harvest months. At this stage, the request is pending approval from the central government. It remains to be confirmed whether the full budget will be granted and how the distribution mechanism will be implemented to ensure farmers receive the support as intended.