Thai private sector to propose farm reform plans

BANGKOK, July 15 (TNA) - The Thai Chamber of Commerce says that it will propose strategies on national agricultural reform, which are in line with the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s policy. Isara Vongkusolkij, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told journalists on Tuesday that the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand will propose the strategies, as part of their agricultural development plan aimed to help strengthen Thai economy and society, at a meeting of the Public Private Partnership Committee in Bangkok on July 16. The proposed strategies include the development of Thai rice and local farmers based on the Sufficiency Economy Principle advised by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, agricultural zoning, the promotion of communities' enterprises and agricultural cooperatives, rice research and development, support for the market mechanisms which are free of political influences, the development of the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand and the establishment of the Rice Board and a 2-billion-baht fund for the development of Thai rice and rice growers. Isara acknowledged that, apart from rice, the proposed agricultural development plan also covers cassava, palm, sugarcane and corn. The Thai Chamber of Commerce's chair pointed out that the proposed strategies, under which the agricultural reform links with the country's food industry and alternative energy projects to enhance efficiency in value chains, are in accordance with the NCPO's planned assistance for local farmers. Meanwhile, Vichai Asarasskorn, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, noted that the proposals have already undergone comprehensive public hearings. (TNA)