Dan Khun Thod Farmers Oppose Costly EV Tractor Purchase
Farmers in Dan Khun Thod reject a government proposal to buy electric tractors at 16 million baht each, saying the expense does not address their real needs. They call for lower fuel and fertilizer costs and direct cash aid of 2,000 baht per rai instead, arguing that would provide far greater relief. The opposition reflects broader concern among Thai farmers about rising production expenses.
Nakhon Ratchasima – Farmers in Dan Khun Thod’s Ban Tha Nak Yai village, Kud Piman subdistrict, voiced their opposition to a proposal by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit to buy electric tractors for soil preparation at a cost of 16 million baht each. The minister presented the plan to the cabinet, saying the tractors would be distributed to community rice centres nationwide to help farmers cut production costs, reduce fossil‑fuel imports and promote low‑carbon agriculture to increase rice value. Since the proposal was announced, it has drawn strong criticism, especially from farmers across the country.
One farmer from Ban Tha Nak Yai said that whether it is an EV harvester or an EV plough, a single 16‑million‑baht machine would barely make a dent when farmers manage thousands of rai of rice fields. He argued that simply lowering fuel and fertilizer costs and providing 2,000 baht per rai in assistance would be far more helpful, and urged the government to act quickly on fuel prices before considering such purchases. Other farmers in the area echoed the same view, saying that buying electric agricultural vehicles does not solve the core problem and that the government should first address high fuel, fertilizer and production costs to relieve the burden on farmers.
