Fellow agriculturists and countrymen,
Today is the Agriculturist Day. I would like to deliver my best wishes and regards to over 24 million agriculturists throughout the country, and thank you for your contribution to the stability of national economy and the production of food supplies to feed your fellows Thai people and the people all over the world. It can be said that agriculture and fellow agriculturists are the core foundation that support Thai economic system. I am proud of the Thai agriculturists who are spirited, hardworking, and persevered, and are inferior to no other profession.
The Government has been giving priorities to agriculture and the agriculturists, and wishes to bring you better livelihood, increasing incomes, and the quality of lives. Various policies and projects have been implemented such as rice and cassava pledging schemes, agriculturists’ debt moratorium scheme, as well as credit card scheme exclusively for the agriculturists to support your financial liquidity and cost reduction.
Fellow agriculturists,
Food is one of the core requisites for the living. The Government has laid out directions for food security, and an upgrade of agricultural production on a long term basis. The Government has also proceeded with a policy on the agricultural zoning to properly manage agricultural areas, increase productivity and product quality, as well as to be able to manage production plan based on the market’s demand. Promotion of organic agriculture which can provide plenty of economic opportunity for Thailand is also pushed forward.
As for the impact of natural disasters as consequences of the global warming effect, after the Great Flood of 2011, the Government has put forward water management project from the water source to the last stage of a tide in order to sustainably curb with drought and flood problems. This, in a long term basis, will as well add more value to the natural agricultural products. The scheme could set directions to the management of other natural disasters.
Fellow agriculturists,
On this occasion, let me invite the virtue of the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sankha as well as other Holinesses to bless you, fellow agriculturists and your family, a happiness, success, and good health. May you be a major force to bring in prosperity to the agricultural development of the nation.