BANGKOK, July 20 (TNA) – Thailand has pledged to help develop farming for a number of plants in Cambodia that will supply the feedstock industry.

Speaking after hosting the second meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Committee on Agricultural Development, Mr. Suthiporn Chirapandu, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Co-operatives said Thailand was going to offer technical support for Cambodia to grow canola oil seeds, cassava, soy, maize and oil palms.

The Cambodian delegation to the meeting was led by Mr. San Vanty, Mr. Suthiporn’s counterpart.

The transfer of technology is incorporated in the contract farming agreement, in which Thailand will also offer expertise in post-harvest technology and processing.

Meanwhile, Thailand can buy produce of these trees to produce feed stock and alternative energy.

Cambodia will benefit from income generation to its farmers, as well as the technology.

At the same time, Thailand gets to buy the raw materials it needs, said Mr. Suthiporn.

Currently, Thailand has to import about two million tonnes of maize to produce chicken feed.

The areas identified to pilot these projects are in the provinces near the border, such as Udonmeanchey,Siem Reap and Battambang, where transport link is easy to enable regular follow-up. (TNA)-E007