The Department of Agriculture Joins the Highland Research and Development Institute to Strengthen Corn Production and Enter the Animal Feed Industry

The Department of Agriculture Collaborates with Highland Research and Development Institute to Boost Corn Production

The Department of Agriculture has joined forces with the Highland Research and Development Institute with the aim of strengthening corn production among farmers. This new collaboration also includes venturing into the animal feed industry, where the demand for corn has reached a staggering 8.37 million tonnes this year. In addition to corn, coffee and avocados are experiencing favorable market conditions with high prices.

Mr. Phatchanapon Muenchaeng, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture, recently visited the Pang Hin Fon Royal Project in Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. During the visit, he held a meeting with representatives of corn and Arabica coffee farmers to discuss the challenges they face in production. The purpose of this meeting was to foster collaboration between the two agencies in finding solutions to promote the development and expansion of corn and coffee production in the highlands.

The Highland Research and Development Institute, a public institution, has established a working group to conduct studies and exchange information on corn planting, coffee planting, avocado production, and organic vegetable production. These initiatives are carried out in certified plots that adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and organic standards, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture.

In Chiang Mai Province, there are currently 285,004 rai of land allocated for corn cultivation for animal feed. This area produces 205,191 tons of corn with an average yield of 720 kilograms per rai. The Mae Chaem area has the highest number of plantings, with approximately 170,000 rai dedicated to first and second generation (corn planted after rice fields) fodder corn. The first generation of animal feed maize is set to be harvested between September 2023 and January 2024. Farmers sell their produce at an average price of 10.77 baht per kilogram, with 80% sold to local collectors and 20% to local agricultural cooperatives. The remaining 20% is sent to animal feed factories and layer farms in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. However, despite the substantial production, it is anticipated that the animal feed industry will still require 8.37 million tons of corn to meet the demand in 2023.

As part of their collaboration, the Department of Agriculture will support the Highland Research and Development Institute in expanding the production of biological products. They will also provide guidelines for post-harvest management of corn cobs and offer advice on planting fruit trees suitable for export to China. The Department of Agriculture will also assist in the production of macadamia cuttings, new Arabica coffee seedlings, and preventing avocado diseases such as root rot and stem rot that have been affecting farmers in the region. The use of biopharmaceuticals, such as Sirin Rasami Fluorescent Mushrooms, will be explored to improve avocado crop quality and yield. Additionally, efforts will be made to increase the number of GAP and organic agriculture certifications.

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During the visit, the working group had the privilege of hosting Mr. Ek Suwanno, a farmer, processor, and owner of the Valley’s First Coffee Academy. Mr. Suwanno, who achieved 9th place in the Barista Competition World in Athens, Greece, shared his expertise and provided support to fellow coffee enthusiasts. He also conducted taste tests on the coffee brought by the participating farmers, all of whom received excellent scores. This inspiring collaboration aims to elevate Thai coffee to a first-class status, distinct from its counterparts.

The Department of Agriculture joins the Highland Research and Development Institute. Set out to strengthen farmers to produce corn. Enter the animal feed industry This year demand is up to 8.37 million tonnes, while coffee and avocados have good prices.

Mr Phatchanapon Muenchaeng, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture He revealed that from visiting the highland development project, Pang Hin Fon Royal Project, Pang Hin Fon Sub-District, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, having a meeting with representatives of corn farmers. and Arabica coffee to listen to the opinion of the conditions of the farmers’ corn and coffee production problem so that the two agencies can work together to find ways to promote development and expand strengthening to produce additional corn and coffee in the highlands

There is a working group from the Highland Research and Development Institute. (Public Institution) lead studies and exchange information in corn planting plots and coffee planting test plots. Including avocado production plots (As variety) and organic vegetable production that are certified with GAP and organic standards. From the Department of Agriculture

Chiang Mai Province There is an area of ​​285,004 corn for animal feed, producing 205,191 tons, with an average yield of 720 kilograms per rai. The Mae Chaem area has the most plantings, around 170,000, with first generation fodder corn and second generation fodder corn (corn after rice fields). We are currently preparing to harvest the first generation of animal feed maize, which will be harvested between September 2023 – January 2024. The price that farmers sell their produce during the market with a moisture content of 14% is on average 10.77 baht per kilogram. Farmers sell 80 percent of their produce to local collectors and 20 percent to local agricultural cooperatives, and the last 20 percent of the maize production is sent to animal feed factories and layer farms – Chiang Mai, Lamphun. It is expected that there will be 8.37 million tons of demand for animal feed corn in the animal feed industry in 2023, which is still not enough to meet domestic demand.

Results of joint subsequent work on this work The Department of Agriculture will join to support the expansion of the production of biological products for the Highland Research and Development Institute. (Public Institution) and also exchanged guidelines for post-harvest management of corn cobs. and planting fruit trees that produce a fast crop that can be exported agricultural products to China. Including jackfruit along with Robusta coffee in areas with appropriate altitude. Increase farmers’ income quickly According to government policy, “innovation that leads the market added Increase income” by appointing Ms. Jongrak Imjai, Director of Chiang Mai District 1 Primary Education Service District Office, secretary of the working group in this Memorandum of Understanding, to hire a team of researchers to provide comprehensive advice.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture will support additional macadamia cuttings and new Arabica coffee seedlings. Along with academic support to prevent and eliminate root rot and stem rot disease in avocados. which started spreading in farmers’ gardens It will support innovation in the use of biopharmaceuticals, Sirin Rasami Fluorescent Mushrooms, together with care methods to be able to grow good quality and high yield avocados. Including increasing the amount of GAP and organic agriculture certification operations.

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“In this visit to the area, the working group invited Mr Ek Suwanno, farmer and Processor, owner of the vallay’s first coffee academy, who has experience and coffee bean support for competitors until he won 9th place in the Barista Competition World in Athens, Greece, to come and exchange information. and experience Producing and processing quality coffee and tasting to score coffee that farmers bring for preliminary tests. As a result of the preliminary scoring, both cases received excellent scores. This has inspired all 5 farmers participating in the project, who will support the creation of value and value to raise the goal of “Thai coffee, first class coffee” faster.

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