Ministry drawing up roadmap for farm trade
The Commerce Ministry is preparing a proactive work plan for next year to raise the value and standards of farm commodities, such as rice, maize for animal feed, cassava and fruits.
The roadmap, which includes measures to curb the rising cost of living, a strategy to boost exports and ways to enhance internal management efficiency, should be completed by the end of this month, Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikalya said yesterday.
The ministry prefers to set plans in advance to avoid potential problems rather than respond to issues when they arise.
The ministry has set up a working committee to formulate plans on how to manage the next paddy crop in March.
As for the policy to reduce the state’s rice holdings, the ministry will hold another round of bidding this month to prevent further deterioration of the quality of the rice stored in state granaries. Each auction will not move the domestic price of rice, he added.
The ministry’s Internal Trade Department has drafted a strategic rice plan after consulting with state agencies, farmers, millers and exporters.
Rice production and marketing will be promoted to achieve long-term sustainability and to minimise volatility to avoid weak rice prices as in the past.
The plan will be proposed this month to the Rice Policy and Management Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, said Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general of the department.
