15 appointed in drive for farm produce
THE MINISTER of Agriculture and Cooperatives Luck Wajananawat has appointed fifteen 'Mister Agriculture', specifically tasked with the promotion of the country's farm produce proactively.
Luck announced the move after a recent meeting of a committee, set up under the policy of Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, for the appointments.
Among the fifteen are Rice Department Director-General Anan Suwannarat, who has been appointed Mr Rice, while the Department of Agriculture Deputy Director-General Varavut Choothamatat has been named Mr Rubber.
Unchana Tracho, Deputy Secretary General of The Office of Agricultural Economics has been given the title of Mr Oil Palm, Pine Apple and Soy Bean.
Other appointees are: Sumran Sarabun, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Mr Casava, Coconut, Durian and Longan; Department of Agriculture's Deputy Director General Uthai Noppakoonwong, Mr Herb; Department of Livestock Development Deputy Director General Ampan Verutanti, Mr Milk Cows and Meat
Cows; while Deputy Director - General Jeerasak Pipattanapongso-phon of the Department of Livestock Development has been appointed Mr Pig.
The Department of Fisheries' deputy director general is Mr Fishery Products; the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Division Director Buncha Sookkeaw, Mr Shrimp while The Department of Fisheries Deputy Director Genral Arunchai Puthcharoen is Mr Illegal, responsible for solving the problems of unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
The appointees will set individual task forces to coordinate with related state agencies, including the Commerce Ministry, in finding ways to boost sales of the products under their responsibilities in line with market demand.
The teams will have to complete their reports for submission to |the committee meeting on March 20.
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The working groups will analyse the markets in order to draw up production plans.
They are also required to detect and warn about any possible threat to the produce.
A database on produce and farmers, accessible to related state agencies, will be created.
Luck said among the produce, the declining price of rubbers has caused the most concern.
The government has launched several measures to encourage domestic use of rubbers.
