New scheme to replace the "Cows for One Million Families" project

This project was evolved from the previous administration's "Cows for One Million Families" project which has been on halt for a while now, to replace it.

The Cabinet approved in principle to the Agriculture Ministry's proposal to promote the raising of Thai bred cows and buffaloes, Yongyuth said.

The Cabinet also accepted a suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras that the new project's pilot should be run first and co-ordinate with the Bureau of Budget to help consider the budget details, he added.

For the "Cows for One Million Families", the ministry proposed the Livestock Development Department and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) to take care of the 10,883 farmers who were given 21,688 cows until they sell the cows and complete the contracts, according to Yongyuth. He said the Cabinet also assigned the ministry to consider about the BAAC operation in this matter and to evaluate the project.

The new scheme for Thai bred cows and buffaloes would be different because it would support cow-raising farmers to borrow money from financial institutions such as BAAC to buy cows and buffaoloes so they got what they wanted. When the farmers would sell the animals, they did not have to pay fees to the specially established corporate namely Thai Farmers' Business Promotion Co, thus this new project was more beneficial. He said the government would inform the farmers - especially those participated in the "Cows for One Million Families" project - so they clearly understood about advantages and drawbacks.

The Nation