PHITSANULOK – The provincial governor has ordered an inspection of government rice in 68 warehouses after it was found that sacks of the grain stored in one facility were showing signs of becoming degraded.
A pile of rice sacks in a Phitsanulok warehouse in which signs of stains are clearly seen. (Photo by Chinawat Singha)
The provincial clerk, Pratheep Silapathes, earlier found that rice under the pledging programme for crop year 2011-2012 kept at a warehouse in Wat Boad district appeared to be degrading, with many sacks of rice showing stain marks, raising fears of fungi contamination.
Phitsanulok governor Raphee Phongbuphakij said related agencies were instructed to inspect rice kept at 68 warehouses in the province, though officials would only be able to check the quantity. The rice owner, the Public Warehouse Organisation, is responsible for the rice quality and normally surveyors would be appointed to examine it.
Mr Raphee said the province produced around 8 billion baht's worth of rice in each crop, so the total value for each year is approximately 16 billion baht.
Mr Pratheep said the warehouse stored around 10,000 sacks of broken rice which normally would have a high moisture content and a high possibility of fungi growth. However, he said it was dry fungi and the warehouse has no rotten smell.
He said the broken rice had been kept separate from other types of rice so there should not be problems with the rest of the stocks.