Bangkok: Thammanat Prompao, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has announced plans to engage in discussions with Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun next week. The focus will be on urgent agricultural policies aimed at tackling the issues of declining agricultural product prices and increasing production costs.

According to Thai News Agency, the meeting will explore strategies to enhance agricultural product pricing, reduce production costs, and expand export markets. The discussions will also address the impacts of the strong baht on the agricultural sector.

The government, moving away from traditional crop price insurance policies, aims to implement innovative approaches to support farmers. These include improving product distribution, reducing quantity to enhance quality, and leveraging market-led innovations to increase revenue.

A notable proposal under consideration is the establishment of a “National Fertilizer Plant.” This initiative involves government inves
tment in a low-cost fertilizer plant to directly supply farmers, aiming to sustainably reduce production costs and boost the competitiveness of Thai agricultural products.

Lt. Col. Thammanat also emphasized the need to tackle the current baht appreciation. Measures are being expedited to mitigate its impact on agriculture, and discussions with the Ministry of Commerce will focus on formulating effective guidelines. The government is prioritizing this initiative as part of its “Quick Big Win” policy.