Commerce officials instructed to help farmers add value to their products

BANGKOK, March 19 (TNA) -- Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn on Friday ordered provincial commercial chiefs to help farmers add value to their products, find markets and develop product diversity to increase their income. She said that the instruction was intended to help farmers survive low produce prices and seasonal fluctuations of the prices. Commercial officials will train local farmers to process products, use quality packages and build their brands. She cited that farmers and commercial chiefs in many provinces had successfully added the value of farm products. In Uttaradit province, she said, farmers and commercial officials promoted "Nam Pad" Thai garlic for its relatively high content of sulphur and outstanding taste. The garlic could be kept for six months and was suitable for athletes and health enthusiasts. Its geographical indication would be registered in the near future to boost the income of local farmers, Ms Apiradi said. The commerce minister also mentioned the production of cosmetics and supplementary food from rice, the transformation of tapioca into syrup and the production of sugar from coconut. She said such processed products were expensive. The minister also referred to the promotion of organic vegetables through retail shops in Phetchabun province and products made from agricultural waste. (TNA)