Thailand: 7-billion-baht budget urged to stop farmers burning sugarcane

To curb PM2.5 pollution levels, the government has been urged to allocate a 7-billion-baht budget to encourage sugarcane farmers to harvest their crops while they are fresh rather than burn them. The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) secretary-general Bainoi Suwannachatri said the OCSB set Friday as the start date for the sugarcane purchasing period of the 2024-2025 production season, with Industry Ministry permanent secretary and OCSB chairman Nattapol Rangsitpol having signed the official declaration. Notifications have been sent to sugarcane farmers nationwide to prepare for the upcoming harvest season, said Mr Bainoi. He said the OCSB has approved new measures to persuade farmers to harvest fresh, unburnt sugarcane to address environmental concerns, particularly PM2.5 pollution. This initiative differs significantly from past efforts, which lacked sufficient impact, as it includes financial support to encourage farmers to collect sugarcane tops and leaves for ...