Bangkok: Director-General Nirun Multhida of the Department of Cooperative Promotion has instructed provincial cooperatives nationwide to expedite the distribution of shallots from Sisaket province as quickly as possible. It is expected that by the end of January, orders will exceed 2,000 tons. A letter will also be sent urgently to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to coordinate with the Ministry of Interior, requesting cooperation from all provincial governors to mobilize provincial agencies to assist. A successful campaign, "Love You...Give Me Scented Shallots," will be launched to stimulate consumption.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nirun Multhida revealed after a meeting with provincial cooperatives nationwide that efforts are underway to expedite the distribution of Sisaket shallots from the production area. This includes both "hom pung" (dried shallots, approximately 10-14 days old) and "hom mat juk" (dried shallots that have been cleaned, graded, and neatly bundled). The initial target is to distribute approximately 2,000 tons from two cooperatives in Sisaket province: the Muang Sisaket Agricultural Cooperative Limited and the Sisaket Agricultural Cooperative for Marketing to BAAC Customers Limited. The distribution will focus on provinces in the South, Central, and Eastern regions, as these two types of shallots have a longer shelf life than fresh shallots.
Mr. Nirun stated, 'Fresh onions are not a concern. 18 northeastern provinces have already received 29,560 kg in the first round. Transport trucks are picking them up daily, multiple times a day. Now we are accelerating the distribution of bundled and firm onions, aiming for 2,000 tons. We are mobilizing cooperative networks nationwide to help secure the first round of orders by the end of January. The next round is expected around the beginning of February. Cooperatives in each province can order directly from both cooperatives.'
The Department of Cooperative Promotion has provided loans from the Cooperative Development Fund, along with capital from the cooperatives themselves, totaling over 20 million baht, to be used for purchasing and distributing shallots. This is short-term working capital, allowing for trading cycles within 3-7 days, ensuring the cooperatives have sufficient liquidity for operations. If any cooperative experiences liquidity problems, the Department of Cooperative Promotion has prepared reserve funds to support them, ensuring the distribution of the produce continues without interruption. The wholesale price of shallots from the production source depends on the distance.
The Director-General further revealed that an urgent letter has been sent to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and subsequently to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, requesting cooperation from all provincial governors. They have been instructed to direct various government agencies in their areas to help find markets to distribute the shallot produce further.
'We have now sent an urgent letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for signature, to be forwarded to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, requesting cooperation from all provincial governors. At the same time, we have signed an order instructing all provincial cooperative offices to request cooperation from all agencies to help distribute shallots in their areas,' Mr. Nirun said.