Oil palm farmers complain of a surge in thefts of their crops

Oil palm farmers complain of a surge in thefts of their crops

BANGKOK: -- Oil palm farmers in Trang province have sought help from provincial authorities to deal with widespread theft of palm seeds due to their attractive prices.

In a petition submitted to Mr Nipon Sirithorn, deputy governor of Trang province, the farmers claimed that thefts of palm seeds had been reported in Sikao and Wang Wiset districts where there are many oil palm plantations.

They pointed out that the price of oil palm seeds had reached seven baht per kilogramme, prompting widespread thefts of the crops for sale to palm oil extracting plants.

They suggested extracting plants and wholesalers to keep records of the sellers so they can be checked by police whether they are actually farmers or thieves.

Mr Chairit Thaiyuan, president of oil palm farmers association of Trang province, said the association would seek cooperation from palm oil extracting plants and wholesalers to keep records of the palm seed sellers and to not buy the crops from strangers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/oil-palm-farmers-complain-surge-thefts-crops/

-- Thai PBS 2016-08-03