After meeting with representatives from the two organisations yesterday, deputy agriculture minister Rungruang Isarangkura na Ayudhaya said the meeting focused on consolidating the two organisations into one unit. However, no decision was reached on whether to proceed with the proposal.

He added that if they chose to remain as two separate entities, they would have to restructure their management.

Currently, the MOF is responsible for farmers and agricultural affairs while PWO is responsible for field crops. 

Pollution scheme

The National Environmental Committee recently approved a long-term plan to reduce pollution in Rayong province. The proposal will go to the Cabinet for approval next Tuesday.

Supachai Watanagura, chairman of the Petrochemical Industry Club and the Federation of Thai Industries, said the plan was designed to set guidelines for reducing pollution in the province, particularly around Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

To achieve this, the private and public sectors will have to work together to reduce pollution and improving the quality of life and safety for the communities living in Rayong. The project will require a budget of Bt3.5 billion. Of this, the private sector is required to contribute Bt1.28 billion over the first two years.

In addition, the plan has been divided into two parts. In the short-term, the focus will be on reducing volatile organic compounds, while over the longer term a management system will be set up to solve the problem of industrial effluent and improve public health services.