Bangkok: BAAC has dispatched 10,000 cups of Aun Im brand ready-to-eat rice to assist those affected by flooding in the southern regions. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, in his role as Chairman of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), has directed this initiative to provide immediate relief to flood victims.
According to Thai News Agency, the ready-to-eat rice requires no heating, is safe, and can be stored at room temperature for up to 18 months. The rice will be distributed in the provinces of Surat Thani, Krabi, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani. The Aun Im brand offers seven varieties of rice including jasmine rice, brown jasmine rice, red jasmine rice, black jasmine rice, RD 43 rice, and brown RD 43 rice.
The production of Aun Im rice is managed by the Agricultural Cooperative for Customer Marketing, BAAC Roi Et Limited, BAAC Surin Limited, and BAAC Nakhon Pathom Limited. These cooperatives are instrumental in sourcing paddy rice from small-scale farmers and processing it into ready-to-eat products. This initiative not only assists flood victims but also supports local farmers by offering them up to 260,000 baht per ton of paddy rice, enhancing their income and long-term economic prospects.