Bangkok: The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) is purchasing raw milk, processing it into bio-fermented liquid fertilizer, and distributing it to rubber farmers.
According to Thai News Agency, the RAOT is accelerating its efforts to assist dairy farmers facing a surplus of raw milk by purchasing over 700 tons of raw milk. This milk will be processed into bio-fertilizer before being distributed to rubber farmers and further utilized in the agricultural sector in a tangible way.
Mr. Yanakit Harudeen, Deputy Governor for Business of the RAOT, revealed that due to the oversupply of raw cow's milk affecting dairy farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives instructed RAOT to urgently participate in resolving the problem. RAOT, through its business units, purchased raw milk from farmers in two phases: Phase 1, amounting to 395.56 tons, and Phase 2, amounting to 305.24 tons, totaling 700.80 tons.
The raw milk was used to produce over 1 million liters of bio-fermented liquid. This product is rich in essential nutrients and minerals, especially nitrogen, protein, and amino acids, from a fermentation process of fresh milk with molasses and beneficial microorganisms. It has also received certification from the Department of Land Development.
Mr. Yanakit said that fermented liquid from raw milk is beneficial to the agricultural sector. It can promote plant growth, resulting in faster growth, greener leaves, and stronger stems. It accelerates root system development, improves soil looseness due to lactic acid, and helps prevent plant diseases, especially downy mildew, due to its antifungal properties. Furthermore, it enhances the quality and taste of fruits and vegetables, making them sweeter, crispier, and resulting in higher quality yields.
Furthermore, the fermented liquid from raw milk can be used in rubber plantations as well as with other crops grown alongside rubber in RAOT's integrated farming project, such as coffee, cocoa, and other cash crops including fruit trees and vegetables.
The Deputy Governor for Business of RAOT added that this approach aligns with RAOT's policy of reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, restoring soil resources and the environment, promoting organic farming, and helping to reduce production costs for farmers in the long term. Currently, RAOT is preparing to distribute bio-fermented liquid to rubber farmers for use in nourishing their rubber trees and will integrate cooperation with agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to distribute and expand its use in the agricultural sector.
'The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) hopes that this initiative will be another important mechanism to help farmers and create added value for the Thai agricultural sector. RAOT acts as a representative of the goodwill from rubber farmers nationwide, continuing the royal aspirations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who laid the foundation for dairy farming, while simultaneously addressing problems concretely to create stability in the livelihoods of Thai farmers,' Mr. Yanakit said.