The Cabinet yesterday gave the green light to two measures to lessen the rice growing area, with a combined budget estimated at Bt487.25 million.
Nattaporn Jatusripitak, an adviser to the commerce minister, said the measures came under the policy on integrated agricultural promotion for the sufficient economy.
The first measure involves green manure cropping which will be implemented in 200,000 rais in 19 provinces along the Chao Phraya River by the Land Development Department, with an estimated budget of Bt383.49 million. This measure will be executed during October 2016-May 2017.
The second concerns promotion for the production of field corn in 2 million rais at 35 provinces by the Department of Agricultural Extension, with an estimated budget of Bt103.76 million. It will be implemented during October 2016-June 2017.

THAI CHAMBER SETS OUT
FOCUS OF ANNUAL SEMINAR

The Thai Chamber of Commerce will this year organise its 34th annual seminar on Thailand Trade and Service aiming to increase trade while the country changes its base from agro-industry to innovation.
Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman to the chamber, said this year’s event will be hosted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Ayutthaya.
“The theme of the seminar on “Executing Innovation toward Thailand 4.0” has been set to serve the 20 year national agenda. Thai producers will be supported to be smart producers and provide smart services through adopting technology and innovation,” he said.
Each province will be promoted to become a regional value link to supporting the bridging of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.

NEW COMPANY IS LARGEST
CRANE FIRM IN THAILAND

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and its wholly owned subsidiary Nikken Corporation (RN) have joined forces with TSK Crane Service Co Ltd (TSK), one of Thailand’s largest crane rental companies, to establish a new crane rental company in Thailand.
The new venture, TSK Diamond Rental Co Ltd. (TSKDR), was established at the end of June this year, and has now fully entered the domestic mobile crane rental business in Thailand. In terms of shareholder participation, TSK will hold 60 per cent, MC 35 per cent, and RN 5 per cent of shares. With about 300 units, TSKDR will own the largest number of mobile cranes in Thailand. It will also focus on expanding in Asean countries in the future, the company’s press release said.