The Cabinet, during its meeting on 7 March 2023, approved a budget of 875 million baht to support a project aimed at reducing production costs for rice farming under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model.

The project was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which stressed the need to minimize methane, or carbon tetrahydride, in rice production, as it has a global warming potential. Transforming rice production toward low-emission forms would help reduce this problem.

This can be done by switching from chemical fertilizers to organic or biological fertilizers and promoting the use of low-emission farm machinery. The adoption of the BCG model for rice farming will help farmers reduce production costs, increase productivity, and improve rice quality, in an environmentally friendly manner.

The fund of 875 million baht approved by the Cabinet will be used to provide production factors and machinery for 292 rice community centers to improve their process of rice cultivation under the BCG model. The project is intended to promote sustainable rice farming and empower farmers groups.

Under this project, rice seeds of high quality will be distributed to the 292 rice community centers in 74 provinces. Each center will grow rice in the concept of “Save Planet Rice Platform,” covering 200 rai (80 acres) of farmland.

It will not burn raw straw, and chemical fertilizers will not be used. Modern farm technology and innovation will be introduced in order to reduce farmers’ production costs and lessen damage that might be caused by pests and diseases.

Rice production based on this concept has been carried out in many areas in Thailand, and it has received a positive response from farmers. This will lead to the goal of “sustainable rice platform,” which will upgrade the standards of Thai rice and enhance its competitiveness in the global market.