Economy
Ministry of Agriculture Seeks 70 Million Baht to Combat Blackchin Tilapia Infestation
The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is establishing provincial task forces and requesting 70 million baht in central funding to address the ongoing spread of blackchin tilapia.
According to Khaosod Online, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Suriya Juangroongruangkit has announced the formal establishment of provincial operation centers to monitor and mitigate the spread of the invasive blackchin tilapia. These centers will coordinate efforts between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior, local authorities, security agencies, and the private sector to contain the infestation as quickly as possible.
To support these efforts, the Ministry is preparing a proposal for 70 million baht in central government funding. This budget is currently undergoing planning and the development of clear performance indicators. Furthermore, the Ministry intends to collaborate with major private sector entities, such as Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP), which has previously purchased blackchin tilapia for animal feed production, investing over 10 million baht in such initiatives.
For residents and travelers, this development highlights an ongoing environmental management effort in affected provinces. While the government is taking active steps to control the population of this invasive species, the effectiveness of these new task forces and the approval of the requested budget remain to be confirmed. Those living in or visiting areas where the fish has been detected may observe increased monitoring and local government activity related to these containment measures.
