BANGKOK, 30th July 2018 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is to add 3,000 rai of crops requiring little water this August, targeting profit margins of 30-40 percent.
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Krisada Boonrach has advised that a farming plan based on crops needing limited water is to be launched this August with the Department of Agricultural Extension currently surveying growers who wish to plant the crops in Uttaradit, Pitsanulok and Ayuthaya. Once volunteers are assembled, farmers in two of the three provinces will be chosen to start a 3,000 rai farm growing corn for animal feed, which is in high demand both domestically and internationally but is short supply in Thailand. The ministry sees the crop yielding profits of 30-40 percent on its capital costs.
The Office of Agricultural Economics has assessed that Thai corn farms produce 700-1,000 kilograms of corn per rai while those in the United States yield 1,500-1,800 kilograms per rai. Relevant agencies are to apply technological innovations to Thai farms to support improved production with attention also to be paid to water management. Once grown, the ministry is to match farms with animal feed producers and exporters. The program is intended to use only leftover budget from the ministry and steps will be taken to reduce costs.
National News Bureau Of Thailand | 3,000 rai of crops with low water needs to be planted in August