Bangkok: The government is mobilizing all sectors to urgently provide assistance for flooding in nine southern provinces. The Department of Livestock Development is sending royally-provided animal feed to help evacuate livestock and is preparing a plan to revive agricultural occupations after the floodwaters recede.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ayrin Phanrit, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that flooding in the South has caused widespread damage and impacted the livelihoods of citizens and farmers’ livestock. The government, through the Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is expediting assistance to livestock farmers, livestock, and pets affected by the flooding in nine southern provinces: Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Satun, Pattani, Songkhla, Trang, and Narathiwat. This covers 72 districts, 388 subdistricts, 2,305 villages, and 106,280 farmers.
There are 6,525,056 animals in the flooded area, consisting of 193,652 cows, 2,909 buffaloes, 236,315 pigs, 55,636 goats/sheep, and 6,036,544 poultry. The area of pasture is 7,213.40 rai.
Ms. Airin stated that during the emergency response, the Department of Livestock Development expedited the distribution of 156,740 kilograms of royal animal feed, evacuated 27,512 animals, provided 459 animal health promotion kits (minerals, antibiotics, and vitamins), and transported animal survival kits via Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department aircraft to Songkhla Province. Mobile veterinary units were also deployed to provide continuous care to animals in at-risk areas. Regarding animal deaths and missing animals, 583 animals were reported in five provinces: Phatthalung, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, and Satun. This total included 23 cows, 3 goats, 1 sheep, and 556 native chickens.
Flood-affected farmers can contact the Provincial Livestock Office, District Livestock Office, or the local Animal Feed Research and Development Center for animal feed supplies. They can also contact the Livestock Special Projects and Disaster Prevention Group, Livestock Promotion and Development Division, at 0 2653 4444 ext. 3315. They can also request assistance through the DLD 4.0 application, available 24/7. Following the floodwaters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Colonel Thammanat Prompao urged livestock farmers in the area to expedite damage assessments to ensure prompt payment of aid in accordance with government regulations. He also ordered the preparation of a livelihood recovery plan for farmers once the situation returns to normal.