Nong Chik in Pattani to Be Developed as Agricultural Industry City (3/1/2017)

Regarded as a gateway to other southern border provinces, Nong Chik in will be developed into an agricultural industry city model in a \"Triangle of Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability.

It is suitable for agricultural production, especially rice farming, coconut planting, and coastal fisheries. The population in this district is about 77,000. Around 89 percent of local residents are Muslims and 11 percent are Buddhists.

In 2016, a number of local residents joined a pilot crop farming project, known as \"Smart Farm, aimed at encouraging local farmers to grow useful crops to earn a supplementary income. The Smart Farm is also intended to develop unattended land into an area for integrated farming.

Aware of the great potential of Nong Chik for agro-industry, the Government is starting a project to develop this district as an agricultural industry city model. Nong Chik is Pattanis important frontline city, linking with trade and industry in . It also serves as a major route for travel to Yala and Narathiwat.

From 2017 to 2018, the private sector plans to invest 4,500 million baht in industrial development in Nong Chik, under the \"new agro-industry model. This model focuses on agricultural production in both quality and quantity, under the \"Friendly Farming framework.

In the model city project, Nong Chik will develop its agro-industry in response to the needs of the southern border provinces. It will also serve as a major production base for and the world. Major agro-industry projects to be carried out include livestock, economic crops and energy crops, and fisheries.

The project also emphasizes the halal industry, rubber production, and energy development for self- reliance on a sustainable basis. Emphasis is also placed on full-cycle agricultural processing, the establishment of a central market, and the creation of electronic marketing channels that connect with all dimensions of development.

One of the strengths of Nong Chik is that it is rich in oil palm. According to the Pattani Chamber of Commerce, palm oil production in local processing plants in Nong Chik accounts for 30 percent of palm oil in the three southern border provinces. The district has great potential for further expansion of oil palm planting areas and the growth of this industry.

The Government will issue incentives to promote investment in Nong Chik. The Fourth Army Area Commands Internal Security Operations Command, Forward, is also ready to step up security measures to help in local economic development for the better quality of life of local people.

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