May 26, 2009
Thailand boosting Betong chicken segment
The popular Betong chicken, will soon see its importance and outlook getting boosted by state agencies, according to the Bangkok Post.
Assistance to promote the industry has poured in, including a plan to list the poultry under the Intellectual Property Department's Geographical Indication (GI) protection to allow sustainable growth.
Another project is to build an integrated Betong chicken industry in the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
Betong chicken is a popular dish among local residents and Malaysian-Chinese businessmen and tourists travelling to Betong and Hat Yai districts. The chicken has tender and particularly yellow meat with less fat, despite being larger than conventional chickens.
The chicken has been a top product in the Betong district for decades, but there are no standard slaughterhouses or processing business there, which could be a starting point for the Office of SMEs Promotion (Osmep) to start an integrated Betong chicken industry.
The project would cover farms, a standard slaughterhouse and a processing plant that meet Good Agricultural Practices and halal production requirements with a daily processing capacity of 2,000-3,000 chickens.
Krirkrith Rojanarawiwong, a livestock official in Betong in Yala Province, said the cost of investment could rise to THB5 million (US$145,420) when a packing plant is added with their own product brand name.
Acting Osmep director-general Pak Tongsom said his agency had teamed up with government agencies in the three provinces to promote the business commercially.
The project will start from downstream to upstream businesses, covering the establishment of hatcheries to supply quality chicks to farmers, and sourcing high-standard feed at low cost.
Pak said more effective marketing networks will also be set up to ensure a steady supply to retail chains at competitive prices. Osmep will also seek cooperation from the Thai Restaurant Association to encourage specific listing of Betong chicken on menus.
The project is expected to help members earn about THB5,000 (US$145.4) per month for 300 chickens raised.
