By Thai Newsroom Reporters
AGRICULTURE & COOPERATIVES Minister Thammanat Prompao today (Jan.15) pledged to see to it that no more title deeds for farmland be practically held by landlords or their nominees anywhere nationwide.
Thammanat confirmed that only farmers who practically engage in agricultural occupation on farmland and hold Sor Por Kor 4-01 papers will be handed out land title deeds whilst landlords or anyone else who might probably manage to occupy farmland with such official papers, either under their own name or those of nominees, but have never done businesses tantamount to agricultural occupation will be ultimately denied one.
The agriculture minister repeatedly vowed to take measures for farmers in all regions of the country to earn three times as much their agriculture-generating income by 2027, beginning with this year’s handout of land title deeds covering an estimated 22 million rai of farmland to some 1.6 million farmers nationwide.
According to the agriculture minister, land title deeds which may be upgraded from Sor Por Kor 4-01 papers earlier issued by the Agricultural Land Reform Office, can be used as collateral for bank loan and endorse a requested increase in the amount of a bank loan.
Land title deeds may change hands whenever the holders call it quits from agricultural occupation, Thammanat said.
Meanwhile, the agriculture minister confirmed that cash-strapped and ”fragile” farmers will be assisted with government subsidy measures to the extent that they will finally be able to stand on their feet and maintain their agricultural occupation with good income.
The farmers will not only be encouraged to have their farm products processed for value-added merchandise but upgraded for export, he said.
He suggested the farmers grow a dozen big trees on the corners of each rai of their farmland so they could be used as collateral for bank loans in following years in addition to their land title deeds.
He made his comments during today’s ceremonial handout of land title deeds for farmers in Bang Zai district of Ayutthaya.
A dozen central, western and eastern provinces are home to a large number of farmers whose Sor Por Kor 4-01 papers have been upgraded as land title deeds. Those provinces include Lopburi, Supanburi, Chainart, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Nayok and Ayutthaya in the central region, Kanchanaburi and Petchaburi in the western region, and Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Prachinburi in the eastern region.
CAPTION:
Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompao handing out farmland title deeds to some farmers in Ayutthaya today, Jan. 15, 2024. Photos: Matichon
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