April 15, 2024

 

Thailand unveils ambitious plans to catapult agriculture sector globally

Thailand has revealed nine policies aimed at catapulting its agricultural sector into a global hub, with the ambitious goal of tripling farmers' income within four years, The Nation reported.

 

Thailand's Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thamanat Prompow announced these policies during a seminar dedicated to positioning Thailand as a leading agriculture and food hub on the world stage.

 

This initiative aligns with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's broader vision to ignite Thailand's potential across various sectors, recognising agriculture and food as fundamental pillars of the country's economy.

 

Thamanat outlined the government's objective to triple farmers' net income by 2027, leveraging Thailand's geographical advantages and favourable climate to produce a diverse range of agricultural products year-round.

 

Thamanat emphasised the importance of quality alongside favourable pricing, attributed in part to rigorous enforcement of laws against illegal products.

 

The minister stressed the importance of precision farming, technological advancements, and continuous research and development efforts in cultivating improved crop varieties to ensure high-quality agricultural products.

 

Additionally, he underscored the significance of expanding irrigated land, implementing effective water management systems, and addressing environmental challenges like flood, drought, and pollution to achieve agricultural success.

 

Thamanat outlined the nine key policies aimed at transforming Thailand into a global agriculture and food hub: land management for agricultural use, digital transformation of agricultural data and farmer plots, promoting soil fertility restoration, water management and governance, promoting high-value agricultural products, strengthening farmers and agricultural institutions, promoting agri-tourism, environmental change initiatives, and collaborative research and work within various frameworks.

 

Thailand's aim is to leverage its rich agricultural resources, renowned food products, and expanding food industry to tap into new markets and elevate its global status. Thamanat said it is important to collaborate with entities like the Michelin Guide and global expansion of Thai restaurants to advance food innovation and target diverse consumer groups.

 

-      The Nation