InfoQuest (July 18, 2019) -- Minister Chalermchai Sri-on and his three deputies--Thammanat Prompao, Mananya Thaiset and Praphat Phothasuthon from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives attended the worship ceremony and released policies to top officials in the ministry.
Mr. Chalermchai said the current urgent task is to fight fought, pledging his ministry will tailor an assistance package to ensure sufficient water supply with relevant departments, he also emphasized that it is not yet necessary to declare disaster zones. Meanwhile, the ministry will address the issue of plummeting prices in agricultural products, especially rice and rubber. He stressed that the policy will be implemented in accordance with income security promise made during the campaign. However, it needs to be discussed to formulate proper guidelines, and the ministry will promote market-oriented production to effectively resolve the problem of price slumps. Meanwhile, it will continue to follow up the projects launched by the predecessor. Plant and animal outbreaks and fisheries are also among the priorities for the ministry.
"At present, authority and job division in the ministry are coordinated. Me and other three deputies are all engaged in helping farmers. Whether the job is easy or tricky, it must be done. And the most important mechanism is to give and serve people", said Mr. Chalermchai.
When asked whether the rubber price is likely to reach 65 baht this year, the minister said that all measures need to be tested over time for they are not expected to work overnight. He will keep communications with all relevant senior management and staff to ensure full commitment.
"It won't take a long time, and this result must have been achieved by this year. I never break my promise, and I am confident in rubber management. Regarding specific measures, income security policy will certainly be implemented (promise made during the election campaign)", Mr. Chalermchai said.
Deputy Minister Praphat Phothasuthon said we should accelerate agricultural assistance, especially for rice farmers. Currently, the cost of rice stands at 5,000 baht/ton. The drought will lead to cost climb, but the yield per rai will see a decline. Thus we will introduce income subsidy policy and support the rice prices. However, we need to discuss the subsidy standards with relevant parties.
He added that the most urgent issue at present is to address the drought ill. Farmers in 15 provinces across the country will be invited to have discussions on the influence and loss caused by the drought. Later, measures to tackle it will be discussed.
Tonight, he will visit Bhumibol Dam in Tak and Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit to inspect their water management practices, with his two peers.
There is no need to worry about farmer rioting, and the ministry is willing to meet farmers and get first-hand information.
Ms. Mananya noted that she will carry out her current duties based on her experience gained from service period in provinces over the past 10 years, and she believes that she knows farmers' problems well and will report them to the minister to find solutions. She also emphasized to apply more modern technologies to agriculture. In addition, she insisted that management model is very important and must be appropriately employed to solve problems. She will apply the management model that has make a hit at the province level across the country. It is said that the four top officials in the ministry are from different factions, and thus it is impossible for them to work together. Ms. Mananya claimed personally she thinks this will make the work more diversified, and eventually every issue and every policy will be discussed together to truly solve problems for farmers and serve the country as a whole.
Mr Thammanat pledged that when he takes office, he will work hard to eliminate bad impression from the public. He said as he comes from the bottom, he gains a comprehensive picture of agricultural products. Currently, there is no market for the products and measures will be taken to solve this problem. As for the smear of the opposition, he said he can cope with it and it doesn’t bother him.
Source: InfoQuest, by Nisarat Wichiensri / Rachada / Wilawan, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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