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VOA标准英语2012--Rice Payment Scheme Threatens Thailand's Status as World's Top Exporter

时间:2012-09-03 06:20:12

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Rice Payment Scheme Threatens Thailand's Status as World's Top Exporter

Thailand's rice stocks are full but the rice keeps coming. The government's rice-buying policy guarantees farmers better than market prices for all the rice they can sell, but it is costing the country billions of dollars.

Rice farmer Ampai Boonrod says she used to make about $7,000 for her crop, but this year the government will pay her close to $9,000.

"The policy is good because the rice mill used to give less money than with the policy," said Boonrod.

While the boost in income is good for farmers, rice mill manager Premtip Bunyaprateeprat says the policy is not good for business.

"Our income has not increased," said Premtip. "The rice is kept in warehouses1 for some time when it is better to sell directly to rice buyers like in Bangkok."

To reduce its losses, the government is waiting for export prices to rise. But as global rice prices stay relatively2 stable, Thailand is losing its status as the world's biggest exporter.

Thai Rice Exporters Association President Korbsook Iamsuri says exports so far are down 45 percent compared to last year's record high.

"This year we found ourselves at the number three already because of two factors," noted3 Korbsook. "That is, first of all, our own rice intervention4 policy that put ourselves out of the market altogether in terms of pricing. And, second of all, India came back to the market and start dumping their stock at very low price, making Vietnam and whoever else trying to match their prices."

Korbsook says farmers are also selling lower-quality, fast-growing rice to try to cash in quickly, risking Thailand's reputation for high quality.

Thai Farmers' Association President Prasit Boonchuey says what farmers really need are better irrigation, access to capital, insurance, and crop research.

"We would like to see sustainable development and stability for farmers so they can have the good things in life and good welfare," said Prasit. "When you have stability, no rice pledging policy or huge budget is needed."

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) spokesman Hiroyuki Konuma says by year's end Thailand could regain5 its number one title, but the drop in exports has spurred competition from Thailand's neighbors.

"Yeah, I think it's very encouraging," said Konuma. "Like Myanmar, [we have] been putting [forward] strong policy to increase rice exports, Cambodia [has] as well [and so has] Laos…"

The Thai government wants to form a rice cartel with other Southeast Asian exporting nations to ensure increasing prices. Thai rice exporters would prefer the government stop intervening in the market before they all get burned. 


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1 warehouses 544959798565126142ca2820b4f56271     
仓库,货栈( warehouse的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee. 威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
  • Row upon row of newly built warehouses line the waterfront. 江岸新建的仓库鳞次栉比。
2 relatively bkqzS3     
adv.比较...地,相对地
参考例句:
  • The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
  • The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。
3 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
4 intervention e5sxZ     
n.介入,干涉,干预
参考例句:
  • The government's intervention in this dispute will not help.政府对这场争论的干预不会起作用。
  • Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention.许多人觉得他会反对外来干预。
5 regain YkYzPd     
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复
参考例句:
  • He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
  • The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

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