Cabinet approves major push for agriculture in EEC provinces
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a five-year agricultural development plan for provinces inside the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said the plan would involve 101 development projects to be carried out from next year to 2027.
The development plan will have a 2.84-billion-baht budget – 1.535 billion baht from the state and 1.31 billion baht from the private sector, Ratchada said.
She said the plan’s overall goal is to increase the income of farmers and farmers’ GDP in the EEC by 2027.
The plan also intends to turn Chachoengsao province into a hub for raising fishes and shrimps for industrial purpose, making Chonburi province a major source of energy plants that can be used to make energy, and making Rayong province a hub for fruits and fresh seafoods.
The spokeswoman said the plan also has five cluster-based goals:
To develop fruit clusters with a goal to increase quality of cash fruits, such as durians, mangosteens, and mangoes, in Rayong and Chachoengsao.
To develop aquaculture clusters with new technologies, such as raising Pacific white shrimps and tilapia fishes in Chachoengsao and Rayong.
To develop clusters of plants for bio industries. For example, tapioca plantations in Chonburi will be developed with new technologies to increase production and quality.
To develop herbal clusters. For example, the growing of fah thalay jone herb, hemps and Chinese ginger would be encouraged in Chachoengsao and Chonburi.
To develop clusters of premium agricultural products, such as premium beef and organic eggs in Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.
The plan will be carried out under three strategies, the spokeswoman added.
The first strategy to increase production with agricultural and bio technologies would be carried out in 34 projects with a budget of 596.21 million baht.
The second strategy would add value to products with innovation and marketing and it will have 24 projects with a budget of 845.54 million baht.
Under the third strategy, the government will develop human resources for the agricultural sector under 43 projects with a budget of 1.403 billion baht.
The spokeswoman added that the development would serve as a role model for other parts of the country as well.