PHUSADEE ARUNMAS | http://www.bangkokpost.com
The Agriculture Ministry is overhauling the production structure for rice, shrimp, chicken, rubber and fruits to improve revenues for farmers and the overall economy.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the agriculture minister, said that the action plan, to be finalised this month, was aimed at selecting the types of crops and farm products suitable for different regions and changing the market’s dynamics.
The goals include a 4-5% increase in gross domestic product in the agricultural sector, forecast to be valued at around 700 billion baht next year, with an expected value of 950 billion baht by 2008.
She said that producers who earned relatively low incomes from jasmine rice farming would be encouraged to grow organic rice. Cassava will be promoted on dry land and longan crops that have been overplanted lately will be partly replaced by sweet peppers.
She said farmers who were affected by free trade area (FTA) agreements would be encouraged to switch crops or to develop food processing skills, depending on the product. Processed rubber and chicken products should have particularly bright prospects, she said.
Comments are closed