Investor held for buying farm reform land
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An investor in the northeastern province of Kalasin has been arrested for buying agricultural-reform land plots from farmers.
Samarn Dissalung, 50, confessed to having acquired 1,768 rai (283 hectares] of Sor Por Kor land from 97 farmers participating in the Agricultural Land Reform Office scheme but maintained he did not own the land.
The office has allocated Sor Por Kor plots to landless farmers on the condition they use the plots for farming. They are not allowed to sell the land.
“I didn’t pay money for land ownership. I have just asked for the right to do farming on these plots,” Samarn said.
He said he grew eucalyptus on the plots and he was willing to return the land to the farmers if they handed back the money.
Meanwhile, relevant ministers yesterday met to discuss problems linked to water management, land use and garbage.
In attendance were Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dapong Rattanasuwan and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peetipong Phuengbun na Ayutthaya.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives asked the Interior Ministry to help its campaign on responsible water usage.
The dry season starts on November 1.
Somjai Taewwong, who has 500 rai of paddy fields in Pathum Thani, said that if there were to be a drought she would not grow rice this dry season.
Farmers have been warned to be cautious about growing rice in the dry season.
