Economy
Ministry of Agriculture Requests 70 Million Baht to Combat Blackchin Tilapia
The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is seeking 70 million baht in central funding to intensify efforts against the invasive blackchin tilapia, including potential collaboration with CP for feed production.
According to a report by Matichon Online on September 14, 2026, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has requested 70 million baht from the central budget to address the ongoing infestation of blackchin tilapia. Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has directed officials to elevate the response strategy, which includes the establishment of specialized centers to manage the spread of this invasive species.
As part of the proposed mitigation strategy, the Ministry is coordinating with Charoen Pokphand (CP) to explore the feasibility of processing the captured fish into animal feed. This initiative aims to create economic value from the eradication efforts while reducing the population of the fish in local waterways.
For residents and travelers, this development highlights the government's ongoing commitment to managing the ecological impact of the blackchin tilapia, which has disrupted local aquatic ecosystems. While the request for funding has been made, the final approval of the 70 million baht budget and the specific operational details of the partnership with CP remain to be confirmed. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and further updates regarding the implementation of these centers and the feed production project are expected as the proposal moves through the administrative process.
