BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Watcharaphon Khaokham has called for urgent action to address the milk surplus, setting a 30-day deadline for measurable results through the expansion of the school milk program and cross-sector collaboration.
The Deputy Minister chaired a meeting on school milk allocation, attended by representatives from the Dairy Cooperative Federation of Thailand and several cooperatives, as well as senior officials.
Minister Watcharaphon stated that, after hearing concerns from dairy farmers, two main issues were identified: the criteria for allocating school milk quotas and the significant milk surplus. The Ministry has accepted all proposals for review and is committed to implementing effective solutions to ensure fair distribution.
As an immediate step, the Ministry is expanding the school milk program to include students up to Grade 9. Documentation is being prepared for Cabinet approval. This expansion aims to boost milk consumption and support farmers, with results expected within 30 days.
To address the current milk surplus, the Deputy Minister has set a 30-day target for progress. The Ministry is working with state funds, state enterprises, and the private sector to purchase surplus milk for distribution to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. These efforts are being expedited alongside policy adjustments to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. (NNT)
