Bangkok: The Ministry of Agriculture is urgently establishing a joint public-private sector working group to address the cassava crisis, following industry warnings about a significant decline in Thai cassava production and competitiveness in the global market. This initiative comes after the Ministry accepted proposals from five organizations within the Thai cassava industry to tackle the shortage of clean planting material and the ongoing cassava mosaic disease outbreak.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sarawut Nueangchamnong, Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, disclosed that he listened to proposals from representatives of five organizations in the Thai cassava industry. The organizations include the Northeastern Cassava Processing Plant Association, the Thai Cassava Trade Association, the Thai Tapioca Starch Association, the Thai Cassava Product Manufacturers Association, and the Thai Cassava Growers Association. Mr. Sarawut, after meeting with Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit, was tasked with identifying concrete solutions to the industry's challenges.
Mr. Sarawut explained that the private sector's proposals consist of eight points, some of which can be implemented immediately, while others require collaboration from multiple agencies. Key issues include developing disease-resistant planting material, enhancing production efficiency, and reducing farmers' costs.
The Ministry has directed the Department of Agriculture and related agencies to expedite efforts to expand and distribute high-quality planting material. They are also exploring the feasibility of importing planting material under controlled conditions to ensure safety and prevent additional plant disease risks. Furthermore, a joint working group between the public and private sectors will be established to monitor and promote these measures continuously.
Mr. Panya Boonbandalrit, president of the Northeastern Thailand Cassava Processing Plant Association, highlighted the urgent problem of cassava farmers facing hardships due to a shortage of clean, disease-free planting material. Rising costs of production inputs are also affecting cultivation and yield recovery in many areas.
Mr. Panya outlined proposals submitted to the Ministry, aimed at accelerating the restoration of the country's production potential. These include prioritizing the production and distribution of disease-resistant planting material, developing varieties resistant to mosaic and witch hazel diseases, relaxing regulations on importing high-quality planting material, promoting increased yield per acre and smart farming, and enhancing the use of biogas sludge and treated water from factories for agriculture.
He added that the industrial sector also emphasized the importance of developing a database of cultivated areas and yields using satellite technology, linking policies on importing animal feed raw materials with domestic goods, and establishing a joint working group to continuously monitor and address the situation.
"Today we presented a complete detailed report on the problems faced by farmers and the cassava industry. The Minister and ministry executives understand the situation well and have ordered the establishment of a working group to drive forward solutions in detail," Mr. Panya stated.