Government tries seriously to raise farm prices

NONTHABURI, Sept 19 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak ordered the ministries of commerce and agriculture to work with large-scaled companies to increase the prices of farm products significantly within the tenure of the present government. He laid down the policy in a meeting with representatives of the Commerce Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, Charoen Pokphand Group, Central Group, Betagro Group, Berli Jucker Plc, Thai Beverage Plc, Thai Union Group and Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. The meeting agreed that the operators cannot raise farm prices alone but farmers must come up with quality products that markets demand. Besides, Mr Somkid ordered the Commerce Ministry to market farm products through the e-commerce platforms of the private sector in addition to its Thaitrade.com that has red tape. Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said the private sector would have to sincerely cooperate to increase farm prices and help farmers improve the quality of their products. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach said that active cooperation could raise farmers’ income and the cooperation began with corn. His ministry would find forward markets and then tell farmers to make the products that markets demanded, he said. (TNA)