Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Captain Thamanat Prompow stated that the Government would expand agricultural marketing opportunities by upgrading Thailand into an agricultural and food hub.

Captain Thamanat pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is proceeding with its plan to stabilize agricultural prices, develop smart farming, and promote the production of high-value agricultural products, such as food for the future and bio-industry.

He outlined his three urgent policies to strengthen the agriculture sector, as follows:

1. Income generation – Off-season rice farms will be turned into field corn and legume farms, and agricultural waste will be used to generate more income for farmers;

2. Marketing management – Farmers will be encouraged to create groups in the form of cooperatives for managing production and seeking markets both locally and globally;

3. Opportunity creation – Upskilling and reskilling programs will be provided to prepare farmers for changes, develop the quality of their production, upgrade Thai fruit to international standards, and create confidence of trading partners in Thai agricultural goods.

Apart from enhancing the potential of Thai agricultural products and empowering farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will focus on six major areas:

1. Acceleration of farmland management, such as the transferring of land title deeds to farmers inclusively and fairly and the development of agricultural infrastructure in land reform areas;

2. Proactive water resource management;

3. Production of quality agricultural goods in accordance with international standards and in response to market demand;

4. Enhancing the potential of farmers and strengthening farmers’ institutions; 

5. Promotion of “Go Green” agriculture, in line with the bio-circular-green economy and carbon credit principles;

6. Serious suppression of the illegal smuggling of agricultural goods.