The Minister of Agriculture is pushing high-quality Chiang Rai durians into premium markets, tapping into online and international markets to boost farmers' incomes as the harvest begins to spread.
On 8 May, Ms. Piyarath Tiyapairat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said after inspecting and monitoring the development of a high-value durian orchard at Rojanarut Orchard, Wiang Chai Subdistrict, Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai Province, that Chiang Rai is a potential area for producing high-value economic fruits, especially durian, which is continuously growing and attracting interest from both domestic and international markets. The Ministry of Agriculture prioritizes enhancing product quality, proper orchard management, and creating new market channels to substantially increase farmers' incomes.
She received information about the arm-spread durian planting method, a style suited for limited spaces that boosts production efficiency per rai and can be managed with household labor. She also followed the durian production situation in Chiang Rai, which currently has a total planted area of 3,969 rai, with 1,835 rai already bearing fruit. The total output for 2026 is expected to be about 801 tons, averaging 437 kilograms per rai.
Today,I saw an impressive example of durian farming by Chiang Rai farmers who use limited space but manage well and generate real income. This approach adds value to the agricultural sector. At the same time, GAP standards are crucial because they build consumer confidence and expand market opportunities domestically and abroad. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is ready to support further in product quality development, online marketing, live sales, and export promotion to provide farmers with diverse sales channels and more stable incomes.Ms. Piyarathadded that
the Rojanarut orchard was originally planted with tamarind, longan, and lanzones before converting to a high-value durian orchard. The arm-spread planting system helped increase tree density per area and improve production efficiency. Currently, it produces about 2 tons annually, generating total income of over 240,000 baht. It has also been developed as an agricultural learning center for farmers and interested visitors to study and observe continuously.
The Deputy Minister further stated that Chiang Rai's durian planting is expected to grow continuously due to high prices. Many farmers are shifting from lychee and longan plantations to durian cultivation. The main popular varieties are Mon Thong, Puangmanee, and Musang King, which remain in high demand. Most of the province's durian harvest reaches the market between July and September each year. On this occasion, she observed the GAP certification presentation for Chiang Rai durians by the Chiang Rai Highland Agricultural Research and Development Center and presented GAP certificates to three durian farmers. She also handed over 50 sets of agricultural inputs, including bio-fermented solutions P.D.2 and P.D.7, to support quality durian production and promote safe and environmentally friendly farming.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture will continue supporting farmers in developing product quality, production standards, and expanding market channels to help increase income, build stability, and open opportunities for farmers to advance their careers and add more value to their produce.