PM to follow up on farming policy in Sisaket

SISAKET, Feb 24 (TNA) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha is visiting the northeastern province of Sisaket to follow up on implementation of large-scale farming policy, aiming at improving quality of life of farmers. Gen. Prayut this morning travelled to the Rasisalai School to meet local people and was briefed by governor on the implementation of urgent policies. He also handed down government’s policies to local officials. The prime minister followed up the implementation of large-scale farming policy through the mechanism of People Public Private Partnership (PPPP). Large-scale farming aims to enhance competitiveness and develop the grass roots economy through integrative management of public and private sectors in all processes. The large-scale farming project in Si Sa Ket, which start this year covers over 165,493 rai (about 66,000 acres) in 22 districts, where local people grow rice, durians, chilies, shallots, garlics and raising cattle. More than 14,375 farmers are participating in the project, which has empowered them to manage their products according to market demand, and resulting in cost reduction and increase of product quality. In the afternoon, Gen. Prayut presided over the opening of the community’s rice mill of the community enterprise upon his visit to the Um Saeng Community Rice Seed Production and Support Center. He observed the center’s operations, which enhance the large-scale farming group’s capacity in organic Hom Mali rice production, and Hom Mali rice processing and value added. He, then, will visit exhibitions on large-scale farming, water management, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC)’s schemes to assist rice farmers. He is scheduled to leave for Bangkok at about 4 pm. today. (TNA)