Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) urges farmers to grow maize after harvesting main crop rice in line with the government policy to prevent oversupply of rice. The company has assured that it will buy products from registered farmers who joined its “Self-Sufficient Farmers, Sustainable Corn” initiative at a market price.
Mr. Paisarn Kruawongvanich, Executive Vice President of Bangkok Produce Merchandising Plc (BKP), a raw material sourcing arm of CPF, said registered farmers can directly sell their maize at CPF’s 15 feed mills nationwide to facilitate farmers. Moreover, BKP also set up 2 buying points to get closer to plantation areas in Nakhon Ratchasima and Uthai Thani (about 200 Km. North Bangkok).
“The programme draws to ensure farmers on market to serve their production at reasonable prices,” said Mr. Paisarn.
The government initiative aims at encouraging farmers in 33 selected provinces to switch from growing off-season rice to corn. Nowadays, Thailand needs 8 million tons of corn for animal feed but the country’s production reaches only 4 million tons.
Mr. Paisarn said CPF and the government agencies will work together to promote maize growing during dry season campaign and encourage them to join its “Self-Sufficient Farmers, Sustainable Corn” project. The scheme is initiated by CPF and the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) to promote effective and sustainable ways of maize growing to farmers.
Being a part of the scheme, farmers will learn the correct and effective farming techniques such as such as assessment of the soil fertility status, stock management technique and Etc. These techniques can help them to optimize their outputs, lower operation cost and minimize environmental impact.
“As farmer is a crucial part of our supply chain, the top priority is improving their quality of life with profitable business. Furthermore, the scheme helps CPF to minimize environmental footprint of its animal feed. For example, We have taught farmers to use less chemical in farming process and encouraging them to stop stubble burning since the practice can cause great impact to the environment including the quality of soil,” he said.
CPF also sets up purchase points at fifteen CPF’s Feed mills nationwide to buy products directly from farmers who joined the project. Mr. Paisarn added that CPF recently opened two purchase points at Noen Thai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Lan Sak in Uthai Thani. Both are key areas for corn farming. The new purchase points will boost farmers’ confident and save farmers cost and time.
“The company would like to encourage farmers to be a part of our “Self-Sufficient Farmers, Sustainable Corn” project. The scheme will help their farm to achieve a sustainable level. Moreover, I would like to assure that there is a demand for corn in animal feed business. CPF is willing to buy the product directly from the farmers who joined our project at market price,” Mr. Paisarn said.
In addition to direct buying, CPF has partnered with agricultural cooperatives, which act as a medium to collect farmers’ outputs and send to feed mills. The partnership is in accordance with Ministry of Agriculture’s policy to find the effective way to connect farmers with buyers.
The company also connects with farming communities via social network and application to discuss with farmers, providing farming technique and inform farmers of CPF buying price.
