Manila:A political scientist from Navamintrathirat Open University, Associate Professor Dr. Chetha Sapyaen, has raised concerns regarding the proposal by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, to purchase over 500 electric tractors for farmers at a cost of around 8 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Chetha emphasized that the plan's cost-effectiveness must be demonstrated, highlighting the importance of inspecting the tractors' performance in actual rice fields. This includes evaluating battery capacity, availability of charging stations, and repair services before the budget is approved.
Dr. Chetha pointed out that projects should be assessed based on practical use and cost-effectiveness rather than just combining government-funded and loan projects without considering real-world implementation. The initiative aims to reduce harvesting costs through the use of electric power, which is expected to be cheaper than fossil fuels. However, he questioned whether the proposed distribution of 6-7 vehicles per province justifies the nearly 10 billion baht investment, considering additional costs like depreciation, batteries, charging equipment, transportation, maintenance, and warranty.
Before proceeding, Dr. Chetha suggested collecting comparative cost data over the lifespan of the equipment, including electricity and maintenance expenses, battery lifespan and replacement costs, and alternatives currently used by farmers. He stressed the need for the tractors to operate effectively during the harvest season and to handle paddy field conditions. The availability of mechanics, spare parts, and maintenance systems is crucial to prevent downtime during critical farming periods.
Dr. Chetha also recommended that if the vehicles are purchased, a clear management system should be established to assist farmers. This includes defining service areas, booking criteria, service fees, or conditions for free use, and assigning maintenance responsibilities to ensure widespread access and monitoring of results.
The plan is still pending budget approval, and Dr. Chetha urged the public to monitor the procurement details, real-world testing outcomes, and confirmed cost figures to ascertain whether the project effectively alleviates farmers' burdens. He called for a cautious approach, with study results shared publicly to address concerns about vehicle models, practical use, pricing, provincial allocation, and maintenance to avoid impractical purchases or future budgetary issues.