Thai farmers plead with government for enlistment of K-pop star Lisa in agricultural promotion campaign
Fruit Farmers' Plea to Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal for Heightened Fruit Promotion
Local fruit farmers are rallying for Thai K-pop superstar, Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal, to join their campaign boosting Thai fruit sales worldwide. During a meeting with PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Chanthaburi, farmers discussed pressing issues, such as rising production costs, delayed exports, and labor shortages.
Dotted throughout the discussion was the enticing idea of enlisting Lisa's international following to break into new markets beyond China. This collaboration could potentially skyrocket fruit exports from the current 200-300 billion baht to a staggering 500 billion baht yearly.
Several other proposals received PM Shinawatra's attention: allowing border checks to expedite customs processing, establishing stricter guidelines for durian harvesting, extending permits for migrant workers, and creating a compensation fund for those affected by wild elephant incursions.
In response, PM Shinawatra assured farmers that the government would buy surplus produce and tackle labor shortages. She’d also promised to address export delays and clarify regulations around durian harvesting. To improve overall competitiveness, she emphasized the importance of research and development.
Later, she toured an exhibition booth by the Young Smart Farmer group, featuring live durian sales, took part in initiatives to control chemical residues, planted a tree, and joined a durian-cutting activity.
To aid these efforts, the Commerce Ministry has devised seven strategic measures to bolster agricultural exports worldwide. This ambitious plan includes partnerships to enhance production, marketing, exports, processing, and trade facilitation for a targeted 950,000 tons of fruit, according to industry reports. Meanwhile, FTA negotiations with the EU, South Korea, and Canada might be concluded before year's end, expanding Thailand's FTAs to over 50 countries.
The government is also looking into revamping the Thai SELECT program, aiming to ensure quality and authenticity of exported produce. In addition, the Department of Internal Trade is collaborating with fertilizer associations to offer discounted fertilizer to farmers and improving farmers' market access through direct-to-consumer sales channels.
Despite on-going discussions regarding labor shortages, optimization of resources could be an unspoken byproduct of enhancing production and processing efficiency. For now, the fate of this ambitious Thai fruit industry resides in the hands of the government, Lisa Manobal, and concerned agricultural stakeholders.
- As local fruit farmers seek Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal's help to promote Thai fruits globally, the government is warming up to business collaborations with international stars, seeing potential in leveraging their influence to boost sales.
- Elevating Thai fruit's lifestyle appeal is just one piece of the puzzle; the government's seven-point plan for agricultural exports includes boosting production, marketing, and processing, as well as streamlining customs processes and FTAs.
- With government support and influential figures like Lisa Manobal advocating for Thai fruit, there's an opportunity for the food-and-drink industry to capitalize on this momentum. Collaborating with concerned stakeholders could help seize this potential, enhancing the sector's competitiveness in the broader business and political landscape.
