Bangkok: Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has announced plans to request a budget allocation of over 5 billion baht to procure organic and bio-fertilizers for farmers across Thailand. This move comes in response to delays in importing urea fertilizer from Russia, which will not arrive in time for the upcoming production season.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Suriya highlighted the challenges faced due to the postponed import of urea fertilizer from Russia. Although negotiations in mid-August had secured approval in principle from Russian authorities, delivery delays mean that the fertilizer will not be available until August, missing the crucial domestic production window. In light of volatile global fertilizer prices, the Ministry is pivoting to organic alternatives to reduce farmers' dependence on chemical fertilizers.
The proposed 5 billion baht from the central budget is intended to support rice paddy and horticultural crop farmers by reducing production costs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's broader policy goals.
In addition to fertilizer plans, Mr. Suriya addressed the issue of increased fruit production, particularly durian, which has seen a production rise of more than 30%. As a significant economic crop with an annual export value of approximately 130 billion baht, the Ministry is working to ease logistical challenges by coordinating extended hours at border checkpoints, facilitating faster export to China, a major market.
To safeguard Thailand's reputation for quality produce, agencies have been directed to rigorously inspect exported durian, preventing the smuggling of substandard products that could undermine economic confidence in Thai fruit exports.
Furthermore, the Ministry is developing a commodity-specific management system aimed at stabilizing agricultural product prices over the long term. This involves appointing dedicated executives, such as "Mister Rice," "Mister Rubber," and "Mister Durian," to manage key cash crops. The system is expected to be operational within a month, ensuring price stability and fairness for farmers.