Premier promises to address growers ‘ concerns to help them reach the 8 % growth goal.
PUBLISHED: 27 Apr 2024 at 18: 17
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated during a visit to Chanthaburi on Saturday that the government has set its sights on increasing edible imports this year by 8 % to 130 billion baht.
Production from the southeast state, which is known for its higher- quality durians, is poised to contribute to the destination, the leading said in a post on his X account.
According to federal statistics, revenues from edible imports in 2023 amounted to 120 billion ringgit.
Mr. Srettha claimed to have spoken to several ministers to assist farmers in upholding quality standards and promoting competition.
He claimed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives would encourage exporters from Romania to abide by Good Agricultural Practice ( GAP ) standards and create better varieties.
He added that the Ministry of Labour may manage migrant workers in order to meet demand for the harvest season while the Ministry of Commerce will handle the cold storage container shortages and high prices, whereas he added that the Ministry of Labour will handle the demand for the containers during the harvest season.
The primary minister made a stop at the Nuanthongchan garden in Khlung region where he met native durian producers, accompanied by Deputy Agriculture Minister Chaiya Promma.
The farmers requested that the state address urgent issues like shortages of workers in both the planting and transportation sectors, as well as drought and pest problems.
Mr. Srettha promised that the government would address the farmers ‘ problems and promote edible to meet the country’s anticipated rise in demand and compete with Vietnam.
He also instructed authorities to protect the status of Thailand’s “king of fruits” in the global market by preventing the sale of immature durians.
According to Mr. Srettha, the Nuanthongchan vineyard is where the Nuanthongchan variety of citrus comes from. The Nuanthongchan cultivar has been certified as a geographical indication ( GI ) product, he added.