Thai agriculture minister boosts lychee farming in Nakhon Phanom
Isaan fruit farm with GI product gets upgrade to improve farmers' living standards
Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat yesterday visited a major lychee farm in Nakhon Phanom province to observe the implementation of policies aimed at enhancing high-value agricultural products and services.
Accompanied by Anongnat Jakaew, the agriculture minister’s secretary, and a team of officials, she engaged with local farmers to understand their challenges.
The Uthai Rasmilichit Nakhon Phanom 1 lychee variety is a significant economic crop for the province, with potential as a high-value agricultural product. This aligns with the agriculture ministry’s goal of ensuring a better standard of living for farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural resources.
Currently, the lychee cultivation area spans approximately 2,969 rai, yielding around 2,500 tonnes annually. Each tree, aged between eight to 10 years, produces between 50 and 180 kilogrammes of fruit.
The lychee farm has been registered as a large-scale farm and a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Nakhon Phanom. Farmers from other provinces, including Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Udon Thani, have also started cultivating this crop to generate income.
Narumon highlighted that over the past year, the export of Thai agricultural products, particularly fruits, has generated more than 1 trillion baht in economic value.
Lychee, as a key economic fruit, has contributed to Thailand’s reputation. The agriculture ministry expresses pride in the efforts of Thai farmers and aims to support them comprehensively.
She visited the large-scale Nakhon Phanom 1 lychee growers to offer encouragement. This special variety, recognised for its GI standard, has gained international acclaim.
The ministry intends to further support farmers through initiatives such as providing land title deeds and addressing water resource issues.
The Department of Irrigation has been tasked with examining solutions for water pumping stations to enhance water distribution for agriculture.
In terms of soil development, the Department of Land Development is preparing fertilisers and other resources to aid farmers in optimising their agricultural efficiency. The goal is to increase the production of high-value agricultural goods, ensuring farmers’ income stability and career security.
Regarding rubber farmers, Narumon assured them of stable rubber prices. The ministry is coordinating with the private sector to establish fair buying and selling practices.
Efforts are underway to restore rubber prices to previous levels and potentially increase them in the future. For crops outside the ministry’s jurisdiction, coordination with relevant agencies will be pursued to minimise any potential impact on farmers, reported KhaoSod.
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