Ms. Rakchanok Thuiwiang, Director of the Office of Agricultural Economics Region 11, Ubon Ratchathani (OAE11), Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), revealed that Ubon Ratchathani's "Hom Thong" bananas are one of the province's high-value agricultural products. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' policy to elevate agricultural products and strengthen farmer potential. The "One Locality, One High-Value Agricultural Product" campaign promotes precision farming and encourages farmers to utilize biotechnology and circular technology to enhance production and develop high-value nutritious agricultural products. One successful community enterprise is the Fruits Farm Ubon Community Enterprise, located in Village No. 9, Kaeng Subdistrict, Det Udom District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. This community enterprise produces high-quality Hom Thong bananas for export to Japan. The company emphasizes a safe production system free of toxic chemicals, the use of biological agents, and drip irrigation technology, emphasizing production quality and standards. The group generates over 30 million baht in annual income. ONESQA Region 11 visited the group to monitor the production and marketing situation and found that the group, founded by farmers growing Hom Thong bananas, has been growing them since 2019. Currently, the group covers 770 rai (an average of 4 rai per household). The group has 190 members and produces bananas certified to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Mr. Narongsak Sanai is the group president. The group manages the production throughout the year by rotating plantings among members. Farmers prefer the Khaen Thong variety, known for its firm flesh, sweet flavor, thick, durable skin, and excellent export potential. Farmers allocated 1 rai of land to approximately 400 Hom Thong bananas, planted in a single row 2-2 meters apart. The planting period is approximately 8 months before harvesting begins.

In 2025, the group's banana production situation yielded a total of 1,632 tons/year, with an average yield of 2,125 kilograms/rai. The group will purchase produce from members at a guaranteed price of 17 baht/kilogram or 205 baht/bunch. In terms of marketing, the group sells 80% of the produce to J Fresh Seika Co., Ltd., which will purchase the produce once a week, approximately 27.2 tons per time, to export to Japan, approximately 1,306 tons/year. Farmers will harvest the fruit at 70% maturity, as it requires approximately 15-20 days for transportation. For domestic sales, 20% will be distributed to 7-Eleven, community markets, and Charoen Sri Market, approximately 326 tons/year. Farmers will distribute the fruit at 80% maturity. The selling price of Hom Thong bananas (average price in 2025) is divided into 3 grades: Grade A exported to Japan (Weight per banana is more than 110 - 120 grams) average price 22 baht/kg. Grade A gold bananas that do not meet export standards are sold domestically. Grade B is sold domestically (weight per banana is less than 110 grams) average price 9 baht/kg. and sub-grade (weight per banana is less than 110 grams, quality is lower than grade B) average price 6.5 baht/kg. The proportion of grade A gold bananas is as high as 80 percent, followed by grade B at 17.5 percent, and sub-grade bananas at 2.5 percent. The group's sales generate an average income of 41,092 baht/rai/production cycle. If calculated as the annual income, it is 31,558,656 baht/year.

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