The Agriculture Ministry has instructed agencies nationwide to inspect rice cultivated off-season to ensure paddies are capped at 8 million rai to prevent oversupply.
Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach said the inspections would be conducted after the ministry reported more farmers are planting the crop this year due to higher prices and improved water supplies.
A number of rice growers have been encouraged to plant alternative crops instead, he said.
The Department of Agriculture Extension recommended planting crops used to produce organic fertiliser while the Department of Livestock Development suggested corn.
Subsidies ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 baht per rai will be disbursed to farmers who grow alternative crops, officials said.
According to Mr Grisada, both district and provincial agricultural offices will be assigned to inspect farmland to compile information on off-season rice plots.
Officials must also determine whether farmers who grow alternative crops use the ministry's funds properly. Disbursements will be halted for those who fail to abide by the ministry's regulations, officials said.
The offices must work closely with local administrative authorities to persuade farmers to grow alternative crops while reports on off-season rice plantations must be submitted to provincial governors on a regular basis.
The ministry is also seeking measures that are suitable for each area on a case-by-case basis.
The permanent secretary for agriculture has been ordered to assign general inspectors to follow up on the cultivation of rice during the off-season. Any feedback must be reported to the ministry.
Local agricultural officials have also been asked to work with provincial commercial and industrial offices, as well as the private sector, on market demand for off-season rice.
Local offices must be notified of the demand for rice to ensure farmers have a market to sell to, officials added.
