A Buri Ram court has dismissed a case in which around 200 farmers in the northeastern province were forced to pay 40 million baht for the fertiliser they thought was a handout by the government.
The Nang Rong provincial court made the decision after the Department of Special Investment (DSI) intervened to help the farmers.
DSI chief Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang said on Tuesday the department’s debtors help centre had looked into the case to help the farmers. Earlier, the farmers, from 88 Buri Ram farmers’ housewives groups, asked Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister ACM Prajin Janthong to help them.
A total of 222 members of the housewives groups in Nong Hong, Non Suwan, Nang Rong, Nong Ki and Pa Kham districts were sued by fertiliser companies for damages totalling 42.8 million baht.
The DSI found the farmers thought the 100,000 sacks of fertiliser were part of the organic fertiliser project which gave fertiliser for free to housewives groups. They therefore signed documents to accept the supplies and used it.
“Since the villagers don’t know or have links with the companies, their explanation is plausible,” Pol Col Paisit said.
After the court dismissed the case, DSI officials will hold a training for representatives of the groups and other farmers so they better understand legal implications.
“Several Buri Ram farmers have faced lawsuits filed by fertiliser companies. Like in this case, they thought it was handouts,” he added.
The DSI will also expand the investigation to find whether any government officials were involved with the fertiliser companies.