The project is aimed at reducing government price-intervention measures and will encourage farmers and traders to work more closely together. The ministry announced late last week that it could also cut government losses through the price-pledging programme.

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said the cassava and tapioca industry is being added to the government's plan to decrease price-intervention programmes by convincing farmers to gain fairer prices from traders.

"The ministry will create connections between farmers and traders to develop and operate a fair trading system. Farm prices should rely on market supply and demand, so traders and farmers can gain fair benefits," he said.

Five districts in Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram provinces have been selected for the pilot project - Soeng Sang, Non Suwan, Khon Buri, Pa Kham and Nong Ki. Krirk-krai explained that those five districts are the country's major cassava plantation areas, accounting for 70 per cent of total production. Tapioca factories are also located in the same areas.

Under the plan, cassava growers are required to register to facilitate management. 

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima