Narumon Mandates Swift Action to Address Raw Milk Surplus Crisis

Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development convened an urgent meeting with multiple stakeholders to address the pressing issue of raw milk flooding the market. The focus was on developing a systematic and equitable framework for the purchasing, processing, and distribution of dairy products. According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Somchuan Rattanamangalanon, the Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, initiated discussions with the Department of Cooperative Promotion, the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO), the Thai Dairy Industry Association, and the Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Limited. This meeting was called following directives from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Mr. Itthi Sirilathayakorn, Deputy Minister, aiming to swiftly resolve the raw milk market overflow and provide immediate assistance to farmers. The collaborative meeting between government and private entities focused on dev ising management strategies that ensure farmers can sell all their raw milk. Post-discussion, they formulated actionable guidelines intended to provide sustainable aid to dairy farmers. Furthermore, the talks explored alternatives for dairy cooperatives or farmer groups to process surplus milk at Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Limited's internationally-standardized facility. The excess milk would be converted into powdered milk and cream, which the Thai Dairy Industry Association would then procure for further distribution. The Department of Cooperative Promotion will monitor dairy cooperatives exceeding production capacity, prioritizing them for processing at Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Limited. The DPO will oversee expenses related to cream and powdered milk production, acting as the primary supporter for dairy farmers. The Department of Livestock Development will coordinate with the Thai Dairy Industry Association and other relevant bodies, investigating non-compliant private sectors or cooperatives, especially concerning school milk contracts. They will enforce penalties as per school milk regulations. For non-compliant raw milk purchasing entities, both private and cooperative, the Department of Cooperative Promotion will evaluate suitable penalties. Mr. Somporn Srimuang, Director of the Agricultural Cooperative Federation of Thailand (ACT), committed to working with the Department of Livestock Development and other agencies to promptly implement the discussed solutions, addressing farmers' challenges urgently. Mr. Athit Nukulkit, President of the Thai Dairy Industry Association, emphasized the association's role in purchasing raw milk from Thai farmers, pledging cooperation with the government to support and sustainably develop the industry alongside farmers. Mr. Amnuay Tongkok, President of Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Limited, expressed gratitude towards the government and involved agencies for their effective problem-solving approach. He assured maximum effort from the cooperative in processin g surplus milk into powdered form for future use. Ms. Chanya Chongtham, a dairy business development expert at the Department of Cooperative Promotion, reaffirmed the department's commitment to assisting farmers affected by the milk surplus. The department will oversee the integration of raw milk into Wang Nam Yen Dairy Cooperative Limited's production, enhancing cooperative capabilities with funds from the Cooperative Development Fund during this crisis. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has stressed the importance of unified efforts by government and private sectors to support dairy farmers, aiming for stable and sustainable growth in Thailand's dairy industry.