CHANTHABURI, March 8 (TNA) – Cooperatives of local durian growers join hands with modern trade operators to prevent the sales of young and substandard durian fruits to protect the fruit image of the province.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach said the cooperation was part of an agreement that representatives of local orchards signed with modern trade operators. He presided over the signing ceremony.
Farmers were asked to follow the ripeness specifications of durian fruits as agricultural officials were using devices to check the age of durian fruits, the minister said.
He also recommended durian farmers trade through their cooperatives to have bargaining power and also grow other economic plants such as coffee and cacao to protect themselves from impacts of any falling prices of durian.
The sales of young and substandard durian fruits violate Section 271 on fraud under the Criminal Code and the consumer protection law. Violators are liable to a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 50,000 baht. (TNA)
