BANGKOK, Thailand – Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has ordered urgent assistance for farmers affected by summer storms, deploying officials to damaged areas and rolling out relief measures nationwide. Actions include supporting durian growers in Chanthaburi province, where storms have struck orchards during the harvest season.
Authorities have been directed to conduct rapid damage assessments and report to the Agricultural Disaster Monitoring and Response Center to expedite aid. Cooperative networks are being engaged to set up purchase points for fallen durians that remain suitable for processing into products such as fried durian and paste, helping limit income losses.
Controls have been introduced to prevent immature or substandard durians from entering the market. Farmers are also receiving guidance on orchard recovery, including pruning damaged branches, supporting weakened trees, and securing fruit to prevent further losses.
Officials are monitoring conditions across all regions, with continuous reporting to enable quick responses. The ministry has activated service centers at district offices nationwide as points of contact for assistance. Farmers are urged to follow updates through the service center application and local authorities, especially during the eastern fruit season when crops remain vulnerable to storm damage. (NNT)
