Local residents in the southern border province of Yala have formed a community enterprise to raise the Wagyu strain of Japanese beef cattle in a farm, where Buddhist and Muslim Thais have worked together to upgrade beef cattle raising in the deep South.

The Yala Wagyu farm is located in the middle of Lam Phaya valley in Mueang district. It is the largest beef cattle farm in the deep South and has become a center for learning about the raising of Wagyu beef cattle.

The farm is in the process of seeking permission to set up a slaughterhouse, so that it will be able to operate the beef cattle business on a full-cycle basis, ranging from raising to breeding and processing.

The objective is to create economic value from beef products of high quality. Wagyu beef is in great demand in the market. The raising of Wagyu cattle is a way to generate more employment and income for local residents, while consumers will also have high-quality and chemical-free beef, based on halal standards, for consumption.

The Yala Wagyu farm has joined hands with Yala Rajabhat University and Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, in conducting research in beef production in order to develop food with low costs but high quality.

Apart from the Yala Wagyu farm, local educational institutions have also encouraged farmers to form more community enterprises, linking with other cattle-raising networks in Pattani and Narathiwat. Members of these networks will gather to join activities together and exchange experience.

During the COVID-19 situation, they have met via social media, and livestock experts have also joined them in answering questions concerning such issues as cattle raising methods and marketing.

Source: The Government Public Relations Department