Huai Khot Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. is a community-driven organization located in the Huai Khot District of Uthai Thani Province, Thailand. Operating as a registered agricultural cooperative, it plays a pivotal role in supporting the local farming community through the procurement, processing, and sale of agricultural products, while also supplying essential inputs and consumer goods to its members.
Core Business and Offerings
The cooperative serves as both a commercial and support entity for local farmers, enabling them to access markets, agricultural inputs, and daily commodities at fair and sustainable terms. It engages in collective procurement, product aggregation, and retail activities across multiple verticals.
Primary Product Categories
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Agricultural Products
- Rice: Locally grown varieties including Jasmine and sticky rice, harvested across cooperative member farms.
- Cassava: A key cash crop cultivated for both food and industrial purposes.
- Sugarcane: Supplied to sugar processing factories within central Thailand.
- Vegetables: Seasonal and year-round produce sourced from local farms.
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Fertilizers and Pesticides
- Range of organic and chemical fertilizers, pest control solutions, and soil conditioners distributed to member farmers at subsidized prices or cooperative rates.
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Consumer Goods
- Daily necessities such as food items, cleaning supplies, and farming tools sold through the cooperative’s retail outlets.
Cooperative Structure and Membership
The cooperative is composed of registered farmer-members who benefit from shared profits, discounted agricultural supplies, and access to storage and distribution infrastructure. Members participate in decision-making processes and elect a board to manage cooperative activities.
- Membership Base: Estimated 400–600 local farming households
- Annual General Meeting: Held to report financials and elect leadership
- Profit Distribution: Surpluses shared among members based on volume of participation and purchases
Economic Impact and Financial Highlights
As a community enterprise, the cooperative contributes directly to the socio-economic development of Uthai Thani’s rural economy.
- Annual Agricultural Turnover: Estimated THB 30–50 million based on cooperative sales and procurement records
- Retail Sales Revenue: Approx. THB 8–10 million per year
- Access to Government Subsidies: Participation in Thai Ministry of Agriculture support programs for crop insurance and input funding
The cooperative often serves as a channel for government-disbursed agricultural price guarantees and crop loans.
Logistics and Distribution
- Storage Facilities: Equipped with silos and covered warehouses for rice, cassava, and fertilizer stock
- Transportation: Operates a small fleet of trucks to facilitate crop collection and product delivery
- Retail Infrastructure: Cooperative-run storefront in Huai Khot district center serving member households and local residents
Target Market
- Domestic Buyers: Rice millers, sugar factories, local vegetable markets
- Member Farmers: Buyers of fertilizers, pesticides, and daily goods
- Local Residents: Non-member customers purchasing groceries and essentials
Capabilities and Services
- Input Supply Chain: Bulk purchase of fertilizers and agro-chemicals at negotiated prices
- Training and Development: Occasional farmer education sessions on crop rotation, soil fertility, and pest management
- Financial Services: Limited cooperative-based credit and seasonal loans backed by government programs
Certifications and Compliance
Though not oriented toward export, the cooperative ensures compliance with domestic food and safety standards:
- Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS) compliance for rice production
- Licensing under Thai Cooperative Promotion Department
- Participation in GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) programs via partnered government extension offices
Community Feedback and Role
The cooperative is considered a lifeline by its member farmers, offering fair prices, reliable market access, and a safety net during times of crop failures or price drops. It also acts as a local employment generator through its warehousing, retail, and logistics operations.
Achievements
- Consolidated agricultural procurement across 400+ farmers leading to better price realization
- Established a successful local retail chain supplying essential goods to both farmers and local families
- Participated in provincial exhibitions and agricultural fairs promoting local products
- Enabled government-backed financial inclusion through crop-linked credit services
Huai Khot Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. exemplifies the role of rural cooperatives in sustaining agrarian communities. By combining market access with member welfare and inclusive governance, it continues to drive local agricultural resilience and economic empowerment in Thailand’s Uthai Thani province.
