1/17/2005 - FNWEB.COM Bangkok - The Ministry of Agriculture andCooperatives has launched a project to increase palm tree plantations onunoccupied land in Thailands southern region. The purpose is to producemore alternative energy and to reduce the need to import oil.

The Director General of the Land Development Department, Mr. Ard Somrangstated that the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has recently issueda policy to expand the land usage for palm tree plantations, aimed atincreasing the production of alternative energy. In response to theministrys policy, the department has drawn up a land development projectfor the countrys southern region. According to the project, about 1million Rais of unused land will be acquired for palm tree plantations,and the project will cover the period of 5 years from 2005 to 2009.

Mr. Ard has indicated that a total budget of 14.250 billion baht isrequired to support this project. He said further that the department ispreparing to propose this project to the Agriculture and CooperativesMinistry for further consideration.