Questions/Answers

In the upper northern region, there were 1,694 dairy farmers, 17 dairy cooperatives, 3 milk processing plant, 35 milk collecting centers and 68,804 dairy cows. The amount of raw milk was produced 395.72 tonnes. The problems of farmers are also disadvantaged and have a lot of debt.The basic pricing system for buying raw milk is still lack of fairness. Farmers are not aware of the importance of separating the raw milk by the quality of raw milk. As a result, farmers lose the opportunity to increase the value of raw milk quality. Farmers are not empowered to negotiate prices with entrepreneurs, which results in unstable incomes. The descendants moved from the old place to other occupations that have more income than dairy farming. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office, Department of Livestock Development has organized the Lanna High Quality Milk Project in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang since 2015 to improve the quality of life of dairy farmers. It is a collaboration between the dairy farmer, the dairy cooperative and the private sector. The government is responsible for coordinating and promoting the standard of raw milk production throughout the supply chain and creating added value for milk and dairy products. Under the logo " Lanna High quality milk " makes farmers produce more raw milk and higher quality, make a fair return and reduce the inequality between farmers and entrepreneurs . Currently, there are 256 farmers participating in this program. The production of raw milk is 95 tons per day, the average income per farm is increased by 6,800 USD per farm per year.Farmers have a stable and sustainable career. This prototype has been used for the development of raw milk production in other areas and the development of production in native chickens and honey in Thailand.

The objective of the Lanna high quality milk project is to help dairy farmers in upper northern part of Thailand such as Chiang Mai. Lamphun and Lampang provide better quality of life and reduce inequality between farmers and entrepreneurs. This project needs to change the attitudes and educate the farmers in the management of dairy farming and technology to increase the amount of milk and raw milk quality to obtain the best quality of raw milk in Thailand and create opportunities for farmers to sell raw milk price on the basis of quality with the entrepreneur that to make it transparent and reduce inequality. This project needs to build up cooperation among the stakeholders. It consists of farmers, dairy cooperatives, government and private sector to develop raw milk quality raw milk price standards. It also includes the unique branding of the upper northern region that are sold domestically and exported to ensure stability and sustainability.

Lanna High quality milk project is appropriate and consistent with the category 1 : Reaching the poorest and most vulnerable through inclusive services and partnerships. The reason is that dairy farmers in the upper northern region are vulnerable and poor. Although terrain and climatic conditions in the upper northern part of Thailand are suitable for dairy farming, the return of raw milk to farmers is not consistent with the quality of raw milk. Since the basic pricing system for buying raw milk is still lack of fairness. As a result, farmers lose the opportunity to increase the value of raw milk quality. And farmers are not empowered to negotiate prices with entrepreneurs.This project has enabled farmers, dairy farmers, government and private sector to work together to solve problems to improve the quality of life of farmers by setting up working groups and setting standards for farm certification and raw milk quality. The government and private sectors have organized training courses on knowledge and technology to develop farmers systematically and continuously.The milk samples were inspected monthly by the government to ensure that the quality of raw milk is transparent and share fair benefits between farmers and entrepreneurs.

Most dairy farmers follow their own traditional ideas with a trial and error approach. Raw milk produced is not consistent quality. And farmers do not have the power to negotiate with entrepreneurs. Low incomes of farmers have an impact on the quality of life of farmers. The Lanna high quality milk project was analyzed the problem and wanted to increase the farmers' income by raising dairy cows with the same number of dairy cows by adjusting the attitude of farmers to improve dairy farming standards, feeding and milking to increase the amount of raw milk and raw milk quality. The government has given the private sector to buy raw milk in line with the standard of raw milk quality. Farmers have increased their income by 6,800 USD per farm per year . In addition, the government has requested the private sector to continue to produce milk and dairy products under the high quality of Lanna certified milk for domestic sale and export in order to achieve sustainability in the project implementation. And to promote the consumer is aware of quality dairy products and help farmers.

There are 1,694 dairy farmers in the upper northern region. Most of them are not graduates but have been raising dairy for more than 10 years. Raw milk sales are based on the basic price set by the Milk Board. If compared with production costs, farmers will receive unfair compensation. If raw milk is produced in high quality, the return does not increase as it should be. For this reason, the descendants of farmers do not want to work in dairy farming. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has developed the Lanna high-quality milk project, which is integrated with the dairy farmers and the private sectors under the strategic plan of the Strategy Management Upper Northern Provincial Cluster 1 by improving production quality ,raw milk standards and added value from the production of premium milk products (Premium Grade), which will increase farmers' income. The farmers are motivated to produce high quality raw milk. This will increase the potential and competitiveness of domestic and ASEAN markets.

Thailand has 16,998 dairy farms. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has set a goal for all dairy farms to adopt the GAP standard by 2021. The implementation of the Lanna high quality dairy project since 2015 helps to promote dairy farming in the upper northern region, to certify 1,130 dairy farms from 1,694 dairy farms accounted for 66.71% of the total dairy farm. The process of raising the standard of the farm and establishing a mechanism for buying raw milk according to the quality criteria can increase the amount of raw milk production , higher quality milk and more revenue. The Lanna high quality milk project has created incentives for dairy farmers in other areas of Thailand. It is used as a model to create high quality milk certification process from supply chain from dairy farms, milk collecting center, milk processing plant and milk shop. This project also helps farmers and entrepreneur to develop high quality raw milk by branding. This will increase the value of raw milk from standard grade milk to premium quality milk in the future, resulting in higher incomes for farmers and sustainable livelihoods. And people have to drink milk quality and safety.

In the upper northern provinces, the area has high potential for livestock production and is conducive to dairy farming because of the suitability of the climate. However, it was found that the basic pricing system for raw milk traders was not fair and farmers did not give priority to the classification of raw milk quality. Farmers have low income and no incentive to improve dairy farming. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office wants farmers to increase their income from higher quality raw milk by setting the standard for high quality milk production and certification from upstream to downstream under the Lanna high quality milk brand. In addition, public relations has created public perception for consumers to accept and have confidence in the quality of products certified by the government. The entrepreneur can share the benefits back to the farmer. Measures to drive success are based on knowledge, motivation, and confidence in the farmer participating in the project by developing a farm and raw milk quality based on high quality raw milk. As a result, farmers have higher incomes and can sustain their livelihoods.

Lanna High quality milk project is an original concept that aims to raise the income and quality of life of farmers by using process development and quality control throughout the food chain under the principle of "the best source of raw milk in Thailand". The goal is for farmers to produce high quality milk and dairy products in the upper northern region and promote the consumption of high quality dairy products in the domestic and international markets. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has set guidelines and targets for all stakeholders including dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, raw milk buyers and milk and dairy producers to develop raw milk and dairy products from high quality raw milk. The results of the operation make farmers more income can depend on themselves sustainably, not forced to follow but make it look like an example. The government provided knowledge on farm management such as the interpretation of raw milk composition and quality of food, balance of roughage, disease and Treatment , has given the opportunity to listen to the opinions of farmers and stakeholders to exchange ideas, learn and solve problems, and to find appropriate and feasible ways to work together.

The Strategy Management Upper Northern Provincial Cluster 1 have been allocated budget from 2015 to 2017 from the Lanna high quality milk project. The amount of 233,330 USD, with The Fifth Regional Livestock Office is responsible for working with the agencies in Chiang Mai. Lamphun and Lampang. There are about 50 government officer at the provincial and district levels, and to help with the development of the production system and certification of dairy farms (GAP).There are activities to develop production systems and certification of dairy farming (GAP) ,create new entrepreneurs and campaigns for the consumption of milk and dairy products of high quality raw milk.

Yes

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine ,Chiang Mai University has adopted the Lanna high quality milk program to develop the production and marketing system for native chickens in the Chiangmai, Lampang and Nan provinces. The result is collaboration among farmers, universities, local administrative organizations and Private sectors. Farmers have more income from the sale of products with a local identity. And The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has adopted the model and method of operation of the high quality milk project in Lanna province to expand in the upper northern provinces 2, covering Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan.In the future, The Fifth Regional Livestock Office will use this model to produce the Lanna high quality Honey in the upper northern region.

The Fifth Regional Livestock Office cooperated with the Provincial Livestock Office and the District Livestock Office in the upper north region to promote and encourage dairy farmers to improve their farms to be certified for dairy farming standard(GAP).Farmers could develop 1,130 farms from 1,694 farms, or 66.71%, producing 395 tons of raw milk per day. There are 256 certified farms in Lanna high quality milk project and can produce high quality raw milk at a rate of 95 tons per day. High quality raw milk from the project will be made into dairy products and sold in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Another part is distributed to dairy processing plants in other provinces of Thailand. This project has resulted in increased quality control of milk production and traceability both for sources and food safety. This will make the entrepreneur and consumer confidence. In addition,Lanna high quality milk will increase the farmers' income from 6,800 USD per farm per year and have a stable career,and the descendants of farmers change their minds into dairy farming under the Lanna high quality milk project. This project helps to create a warm family, create a good economy and society, create sustainable cooperation between dairy farmers, private sector and government. This project has enhanced in higher quality milk production in the Northern region, better quality and better than other regions in Thailand and can be used as a prototype of high quality dairy projects to develop in other potential areas and competitiveness in the global market.

Guidelines for the development of Lanna high-quality milk project to achieve sustainable sustainability. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has been continuously monitored by working under the working group of the Upper Northern Provinces 1, consisting of government officer from various agencies, dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives and the private sector. There were meetings to solve obstacles and follow up every month.The government officer will have to check and collect raw milk samples to check every month to control the quality of raw milk to meet the high quality of milk. If any farmer can not control the quality of raw milk. Farmers will have to correct the deficiencies as instructed by the authorities. The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has organized training courses to educate farmers on farm management, total mixed feeding(TMR), animal health, production cost reduction so that farmers can maintain quality of raw milk and earn more. This project has trained dairy farmers and new entrepreneurs to expand their production capacity and expand the market both domestically and export to ASEAN. This includes developing new products to respond to consumers and create value from high quality dairy products.

Yes

Lanna high quality milk project received the Public Sector Excellence Awards (PSEA) based on the evaluation by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission in 2017. The award was given to agencies that improve public services, resulting in continuous improvement of services. And the project is the model (Best Practice) for other organizations. The results of the evaluation of the Fifth Regional Livestock Office have improved the services of the government by cooperating with farmers, dairy cooperatives and the private sector to drive the project. This project resulted in public participation in solving problems of dairy farmers to have good quality of life by setting standard criteria for purchasing raw milk from dairy farmers and sharing benefits between dairy farmers and entrepreneurs. It has created a mechanism to raise the standard of milk production by educating and improving farmers' attitudes and development throughout the supply chain under the brand name,"Lanna high quality milk" until it became unique in the upper northern region.

Farmers who improve the farm and milk quality according to the Lanna high quality milk project ,will increase the purchase price from the base price of 0.073 USD / kg. If the average milk is 100 kg, the income will increase 7.33 USD / day. The 220 USD per month increase was the result of the evaluation of the farmers before and after the project. The average income of the farmers increased by 6,800 USD per farm per year, resulting in higher income and stable occupation. This result enhances the quality of life of farmers in the upper northern region. As for the entrepreneurs, the increase in revenue from the sale of high-quality dairy products from Lanna high quality milk, the average yield of dairy cooperatives increased by 7.47%. People have consumed high quality dairy products and are safe from antibiotic residues, pesticide residues, and pathogenic microorganisms. And most importantly farmers and entrepreneurs are proud of being part of the development of Lanna high quality milk project which is unique to the upper northern region of Thailand.

Lanna high quality dairy project have set goals and performance indicators to produce high quality raw milk in accordance with the Lanna high quality milk standards , and to establish a network of certified farms and establishments.From the project's performance from 2015 to 2017, farmers can produce high quality raw milk of 2,164 tons in 2017, can produce raw milk from 8 kg per head per day to 14-17 kg per head per day. The revenue from raw milk price increased from 0.58 USD per kg to 0.66 USD / kg. The farmer's income increased about 6,800 USD per farm per year. This project can create a network throughout the high quality milk production chain from 256 dairy farms, 2 milk collecting centers, 3 dairy processing plants and 3 milk shops which increased turnover from raw milk quality and processing is not less than 1,366,660 USD per year. Lanna High quality milk products have promoted and developed dairy farms, farmers and participating establishments continuously creating dairy products under the trademark of Lanna high quality milk which can create a sustainable security for farmers.

The Fifth Regional Livestock Office has implemented the Lanna high-quality milk project to promote and develop farmers who lack the opportunity to receive appropriate services from the government.The working group is set up to work in an integrated manner between relevant government agencies under the Strategy Management Upper Northern Provincial Cluster 1 consists of the Provincial Livestock Office, Veterinary Research and Development Center, Upper Northern Region, Animal Husbandry and Genetic Development Center, Animal Nutrition Development Center, Provincial Public Health Office , Provincial Commerce Affair Office , Provincial industry Office, Provincial agricultural and Cooperative Office , Provincial Cooperative Office ,The Public Relations Department Region 3 ,Chiangmai, Office of Agricultural Economics, District 1 and the Governor of Chiang Mai. There are office of Livestock District, Provincial Livestock Office, Dairy Cooperative, Local Government Organization and private sectors are responsible for the development of dairy farms and raw milk collection centers. For dairy processing plants, there are The Fifth Regional Livestock Office and the Provincial Public Health Office is responsible for developing the GMP and HACCP certification. For milk and milk products, The Fifth Regional Livestock Office and Provincial Public Health Offices are responsible for inspecting and certifying high quality milk and milk products. On the control of raw milk quality standards, officials from the Department of Livestock Development will collect raw milk samples to determine raw milk quality and pathogenic microorganisms at Veterinary Research and Development Center every month. If the quality of raw milk and microorganisms are not standardized, The Fifth Regional Livestock Office will inspect and advise the farmers on the problem. In public relations and marketing, there will be staff from working group help publicize and create consumer awareness and appraisal to improve h

Lanna high quality milk project that can achieve because it is important to initiate and collect farmer information on both production and problem. The government officer then clarified to the target group that the traditional dairy farming concept and attitude would be adapted to the standard dairy farming system, focusing on the production of high-quality raw milk using local brand names. "Lanna" to increase income for farmers.The selection of sub-group farmers is an example to motivate other farmers to participate in the project. At the stage of development will not do at the farm level only. But it must be done throughout the chain of production from the dairy farm, milk collecting center ,milk processing plant and milk shop under the governmental certification of the cycle to control and maintain standards of Lanna high quality milk to ensure consumer confidence. The government should use the private sector with expertise in production, distribution and marketing to contribute to sustainable development. In the future, farmers and dairy cooperatives should be encouraged to produce dairy products and create their own brands using dairy processing plants of the private sector or dairy cooperatives that distribute to tourists to increase their income.