Rubber Tree Title Deeds: Empowering Farmers and Greening Thailand
Rubber tree land title deed strategy aimed at providing farmers with loan access
Want to boost your agribusiness financially while contributing to the environment? Check out Thailand's upcoming Rubber Tree Title Deed Initiative! Led by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Narumon Pinyosinwat, this program aims to supercharge economic opportunities for farmers by providing rubber trees as collateral for loans.
Minister Narumon stressed the initiative's importance for securing land tenure and boosting farmer empowerment. "This rubber tree title deed is more than just proof of tree existence—it's a game-changer, unlocking their potential as functional assets," she said.
Under the new policy, rubber trees gain recognition as valuable assets, allowing farmers to leverage them for bank financing. By promoting sustainable resource utilisation and farm stability, this approach paves the way for a richer, greener Thailand.
The initiative covers farmers nationwide, encouraging cultivation of more rubber trees. As Thailand works toward its decades-old goal of turning 40% of its land into green spaces, this program provides a much-needed boost.
The project enlists support from the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Farmers must register with the Rubber Authority for verification, followed by an assessment of their rubber trees' value for loan eligibility by the BAAC.
In addition to bank financing, farmers can earn additional income from carbon credit trading, while ensuring their Thai rubber products comply with the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation. This certification bypasses trade barriers and grants access to the lucrative EU market.
The initiative tackles farmers' economic prospects, sustainability, and regulatory compliance in one fell swoop. Aligning with the long-term goal of conservation and biodiversity, Thailand's Rubber Tree Title Deed Initiative promises a win-win approach to sustainable agribusiness.
[1] Mingkwan, P. (2016). Multi-dimensional Analysis of the Rural Poverty Linkages to Input Risk and Contractual Aspects of Rubber Farming in Thailand. Agrofourm International Journal of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, 9(9). doi: 10.14507/agro4.99.0110
[4] Rojchareon, I. (2016). The potential of using rubber as collateral for agricultural financing: A case study in the Mae Lao Rubber Farmer Cooperative, Northern Thailand. Bangkok, Thailand: Institute of Development and Environmental Studies, Kasetsart University.
- The Rubber Tree Title Deed Initiative in Thailand allows farmers to open up financial opportunities by utilizing their rubber trees as collateral for loans.
- By providing recognition for rubber trees as valuable assets, this program seeks to benefit farmers economically while promoting sustainable resource utilization and farm stability.
- The initiative also enables farmers to earn additional income from carbon credit trading, ensuring compliance with the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation and granting access to the lucrative EU market.
- With support from the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), farmers can now register their rubber trees for verification and assessment to be eligible for bank financing, aligning with Thailand's long-term goal of conservation and biodiversity.
