Farm to table: Thailand firms urged to unite for stable farm prices

[snoop1130]

 

The Commerce Ministry urged Thai conglomerates to collaborate in purchasing agricultural products to provide farmers with a more stable income.

 

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai revealed plans to manage agricultural products and secondary crops for the latter half of the year. He instructed Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, commerce permanent secretary, and Wattanasak Sur-iam, Director-Deneral of the Internal Trade Department (ITD), to engage department stores, convenience stores, and petrol stations in buying products from farmers to stabilise agricultural prices.

 

Phumtham said the conventional method in which the government intervenes to support farm prices is not sustainable.

 

“On the other hand, the government should seek collaboration from large conglomerates such as PTT, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thai Beverage, Tops, and EmQuartier to help buy agricultural products by leveraging their corporate social responsibility activities.”

 

 

The ministry is monitoring 18 categories of secondary crops, which include 11 types of fruit: durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, longan, pineapple, lychee, pomelo, tangerines, Marian plum, and mango. Additionally, four types of vegetables—lemons, tomatoes, pumpkins, and chilli peppers—and three types of root crops—shallots, onions, and garlic—are being tracked.

 

At present, the prices of fresh vegetables and fruit remain stable.

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday instructed the commerce permanent secretary and ITD Director-General to oversee the prices and quality of agricultural products in the second half of the year. Among the measures is the pursuit of collaboration with large conglomerates to support farmers, alongside other fruit management strategies planned for this year, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Sarishti Arora

Picture courtesy of Karsten Sporenberg from pexels.com

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-07-23

 

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[BangkokReady]

"We can't afford to subsidise farmers anymore, so it would really help us out if you were to pay higher prices for your vegetables and rice."

[rwill]

Just like condos, Stop overproducing.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“On the other hand, the government should seek collaboration from large conglomerates such as PTT, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thai Beverage, Tops, and EmQuartier to help buy agricultural products by leveraging their corporate social responsibility activities.”

These large conglomerates have always, and always will screw the farmers, buying at the lowest prices possible, maximising profits which are seldom passed onto the consumer.

Local farmer markets are the best way to sell direct to the consumers.

[john donson]

too bad you cannot buy products here straight from farmers, no market, maybe upcountry with no standards

[spidermike007]

Though it's a great concept, in the US in alot of areas "farm to table" and "locally sourced" is an excuse to charge 30 to 100% more than nearby restaurants that are serving comparable quality food, but not marketing the bejesus out of the concept. 

[0ffshore360]

12 hours ago, rwill said:

Just like condos, Stop overproducing.

Can you export a condo?

[0ffshore360]

11 hours ago, john donson said:

too bad you cannot buy products here straight from farmers, no market, maybe upcountry with no standards

Funny stuff.

Yes you can go buy more direct. Probably better standards because the growers only use chemicals enough to enhance production. The wholesale buyers and retailers add more to enhance shelf life appearance .