January 30, 2012 (By Oryza News)
In an effort to improve rice output in the country, Thailand has announced that it will invest over 150 billion baht (about $4.8 billion) in water management infrastructure programs over the next 12 months.
The country’s deputy premier said a total of over 350 billion baht (about $11.1 billion) would be invested in water management programs, out of which work on the Chao Phraya and eight subsidiary river basins would cost 300 billion baht (about $9.5 billion). The remaining 50 billion (about $1.6 billion) will be utilized to improve infrastructure on 17 other river basins in Thailand.
The country has also announced that a 50-billion-baht (about $1.6 billion) insurance fund will be created to help provide flood insurance people and businesses. The country’s rice exports came to a near standstill and several thousand tons of paddy was lost after heavy floods ravaged Thailand late last year.
Source: http://oryza.com