Bangkok, Minister Thammanat reveals that the Beef Board is preparing to discuss with the Budget Office and present to the Cabinet. Approve 'Project to promote beef cattle raising To increase income for farmers with low incomes' or cattle increase income Ask the central budget to support the cost of purchasing cattle breeding stock for 4,000 low-income farmers. The implementation period will be 3 years during fiscal year 2024 - 2026. Captain Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said: Beef Cattle-Buffalo Development Policy Committee and the National Product Board (Beef Board) approves the 'Project to promote beef cattle raising To increase income for farmers with low incomes' or cattle increase income The objective is to create opportunities for low-income farmers to get their own cows and increase their income. Including stimulating the restoration of the domestic cattle trading market. The implementation period is 3 years, during the fiscal year 2024 - 2026. Prepare to discuss with the Budget Office and submit to the Cabinet to request approval of the central budget to support the cost of purchasing cattle breeding stock for 4,000 low-income farmers. Forecasts of the production and marketing situation of beef cattle - buffalo in Thailand in 2024 are as follows: Production Beef cattle: It is expected that there will be 9.95 million beef cattle, 1.44 million farmers, an increase from 9.65 million beef cattle in 2023, or 3 percent. Beef cattle production will be 1.399 million cattle, an increase from 2023, representing a hundred percent. 7.84 each because in 2023 Thailand has negotiated to open the live beef cattle market with many countries. It is expected that beef cattle exports will increase in 2024, along with domestic tourism that has continued to recover. As a result, farmers increased production volumes to meet demand both domestically and abroad. Buffaloes: It is forecast that in 2024 there will be a total of 1.8 million buffaloes. There are 310,836 buffalo farmers. It is expe cted that the buffalo production will be 418,000 animals, an increase from 2023 which has approximately 350,000 animals or 16.08 percent. 2. Marketing Beef cattle The price of live beef cattle that farmers can sell as of March 2024 has an average price of 78.10 baht per kilogram, decreasing from the same period last year with an average price of 86.52 baht per kilogram, or a decrease of 9.74 percent. Buffalo, the price of live buffalo that farmers can sell as of March 2024, the average price is 31,709 baht per animal, decreased from the same period last year at 39,679 baht per animal, or a decrease of 20.09 percent. 3. Export and import Beef cattle in 2024 (from Jan. - Feb.) imported fresh beef and processed beef in the amount of 5,130.58 tons worth 1,301.54 million baht, an increase from 2023 with an amount of 4,407.04 tons worth 1,143.81 million baht or an increase of 100%. 16.42 each, with the most being imported from Australia. Exports of 15,326 live cattle, valued at 372.00 million baht, increased f rom 9,666 cattle valued at 275.41 million baht, or 58.56 percent, in 2023. Important trading partner markets include: Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, exports of fresh beef and processed beef, amounting to 98.03 tons, worth 15.16 million baht, decreased from 2023 with an amount of 189.69 tons, worth 26.70 million baht. Buffalo, buffalo products in 2024 (from Jan. - Feb.), 348.74 tons of salt-cured buffalo skins were imported, valued at 6.39 million baht, an increase from 2023 when 273.20 tons of salt-cured buffalo skins were imported, valued at 7.00 million baht. baht, with import volume increasing 27.65 percent, but value decreasing 8.69 percent. During that period, only 5,560 live buffalo were exported, valued at 100 million baht. Important trading partners include Laos. Captain Thammanat reiterated that Supporting the raising of beef cattle and buffalo as a career Including opening the export market. This is in accordance with the policy of Mr. Settha Thaweesin, Prime Minister, who is aware of the importance of driving policy to solve the problem of falling prices of livestock products. It is a problem that affects farmers and the country's economy as a whole. Therefore, it was given to the Ministry of Agriculture. and relevant agencies rush to negotiate with foreign countries to expand exports to the beef and buffalo markets, confident that it will cause domestic prices to increase. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is accelerating negotiations to promote continued international trade, such as China, where progress is in a positive direction. as well as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Livestock product types include live cattle and products. Cattle and cattle for breeding, beef, etc. In addition, the National Policy Committee for the Development of Beef - Buffalo and Products also resolved to appoint a subcommittee to maintain the cattle - buffalo meat and product consumption market and to appoint a subcommittee on the cost of production of beef - buffalo to prepare information on the c osts of production. manufacture For use in formulating policies regarding beef cattle and buffalo in Thailand correctly and efficiently. Source: Thai News Agency