PRACHAUB KHIRI KHAN, 8th June 2018 (NNT) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has launched an aid project in Prachaub Khiri Khan province to enable agriculturists to dispose of surplus pineapples in a profitable way.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Luck Wajananawat today inaugurated the project at Ao Noi Thai-Denmark Dairy Cooperative Office in the capital district. High-ranking government officials, community leaders and local agriculturists were among the attendees.
The project is expected to solve the problem of agro oversupply in Prachaub Khiri Khan, Thailand’s biggest pineapple producer. The fruit is grown in eight districts, covering an area of over 20,000 acres. Pineapple growers number around 12,000.
Pineapple yields from the western province and other major producers, Rayong and Lampang, are estimated to top 2.2.4 million tons between May and June. A large quantity of substandard pineapple produce, the stronger baht and lower export orders have had a significant impact on the agriculturists.
The government is urging dairy farmers to buy second-grade pineapples to make Total Mixed Ration (TMR) diets for their cattle. TMR feed, using pineapples and hay can increase milk yields and lower feeding costs by 20 satang a kilo of milk. The activity reportedly attracted a large number of milk producers.
The government is also supporting research and development of pineapples for health purposes.
National News Bureau Of Thailand | Prachuab Khiri Khan surplus pineapple to become cattle feed