BANGKOK — In a bid to tackle PM2.5 pollution, the government is considering a 7-billion-baht budget to incentivize sugarcane farmers to harvest fresh, unburnt crops. This initiative marks a significant shift from past efforts to reduce sugarcane burning, a major contributor to harmful air pollution.
The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) announced Friday as the official start of the 2024-2025 sugarcane purchasing period for eastern and northeastern regions, with northern and central regions set to follow on December 15. Farmers in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, and Prachuap Khiri Khan will begin deliveries on January 2, 2025.
Bainoi Suwannachatri, OCSB secretary-general, highlighted new measures to encourage the harvesting of fresh sugarcane. The proposed programme includes financial support, offering farmers an additional 120 baht per tonne of fresh sugarcane. Farmers delivering burnt sugarcane will face deductions of 30 to 130 baht per tonne, compared to the previous flat rate of 30 baht.
The initiative also includes stricter quality standards, allowing sugar mills to reject sugarcane with high levels of impurities. By discouraging sugarcane burning and promoting fresh harvesting, the government aims to address environmental and public health concerns linked to PM2.5 emissions.
Deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan noted that the 2024-2025 season’s sugarcane yield is projected at 93.17 million tonnes. The staggered purchasing schedule accounts for regional factors, including the readiness of farmers and sugar mills, to optimize production and sugar yields.
The programme represents a concerted effort by the Industry Ministry and OCSB to reduce pollution while improving the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers. The government hopes that financial incentives and stricter penalties will transform farming practices, yielding environmental and economic benefits.
