Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Thailand: National Government Perspectives & Policies

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Thailand:
National Government Perspectives & Policies
Ladawan Kumpa
Deputy Secretary General
National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)
Presented at Higher Education for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Thailand and
Southeast Asia, School of Agriculture Resources (CUSAR), Bangkok
20 March 2015

Presentation Outline
2
Agricultural Situation & Problems
Agricultural Development Plan
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Importance of agricultural sector
GDP by Sectors
Thailand’s development has been generally based on agricultural production
LABOR: The agricultural sector is mainly
supported by smallholders , about 1/3 is
presently employed in agriculture.
EXPORT: Although its GDP share has decreased
substantially, it still accounts for 30% of total
exports by value, and agricultural imports
remain very small.
LAND: 133 million rais or 41% of total land is
engaged in agricultural sector.
- 68 million rais or 50% is accounted for paddy area,
- 30 million rais or 23% is accounted for other
croplands.
SAFETY NET: The agricultural sector is the
unofficial social safety net which helps absorb
the newly unemployed during the crisis by
providing job opportunities in farmland
Share of GDP in agricultural sector has
been decreasing.
• Agricultural production accounts for only 8%
of GDP in 2014.
• However, the agricultural sector still has an
important role to play in the country’s
production structure.

Agriculture is highly diversified and specialised, different geography conditions
4
North-eastern Region
Central Region
Northern Region
Southern
Region
Diversification of agriculture in Thailand
• Mountainous area
• Main agriculture produce are
lychee and longan
• Plain area / low rainfall and
drought
cassava and maize
• Plain area / Irrigated area
rice
• Good logistics and supply
chain management –
livestock and chicken
• Coastal area / high rainfall
palm oil, para rubber,
fisheries (shrimp)

In 2013, total value of agricultural product exports was 1,268,217 mil B.
5
Main Agricultural Export Commodities
Source: OAE
Export value of
major agricultural products, 2012 - 2013
Share of export value
by major country, 2013

Problems of internal factors in agriculture
6
Characteristics of Thailand’s Agriculture
LAND
LABOR
CAPITAL
INPUT LAND
•Small average farm size
average farm holding area per household 4.07 ha
farmers in the Central plain region had the highest farm size 5.9 ha,
while the Northeast 3.71 ha
•Decrease in percentage of farmers own farms
 prevent expansion in investment and returns to scale
farmers in the Central plain had the highest rented area/farm
•Extensive utilization of land but limited fertile and irrigated land
the majority of the farming population depends on the weather
and other natural conditions
•Surface soil which contains nutrients were lost covering and
the damaged area has been increasing
directly hurt agriculture production as it reduced production
efficiency and accelerated the use of chemicals

Problems of internal factors in agriculture
7
LAND
LABOR
CAPITAL
INPUT
LABOR
•Decrease in agricultural laborers 37% of total labor,
increase in average age of the agricultural labor
• The intensive chemical use of commercial farming damaged
farmers’ health and quality of life
increase in illnesses and casualties from pesticides (both producer
and consumer)
CAPITAL / TECHNOLOGY
•Low level of application of modern technology / R&D
•Inefficient and high cost of agricultural logistics mechanism

8
Source: NESDB (2013)
Sources of growth in agriculture
LAND
LABOR
CAPITAL
INPUT OUTPUT
Natural Disasters
Instability of Market Price
Low agricultural productivities and poverty in agricultural sector
POVERTY
•Farmers suffer net
losses from their
production, especially
for small farmers.
•Low product price, debt,
and quality of life are
main problems to the
farmers

Economic crops: Rice, Cassava, Para-rubber
9Source: Office of Agricultural Economics, MOAC
Rice Yield (2009 – 2013)
Para-rubber Yield (2009 – 2011)Cassava Yield (2009 – 2011)
US China Japan Korea Vietnam Indonesia Laos Thailand
India Vietnam Ivory Coast Thailand Sri Lanka Brazil India Indonesia Thailand Vietnam Ghana Brazil
Kg./rai
Kg./rai
Kg./rai
Low Agricultural Productivities

10

Evaluation of national plans to balance and sustainability
National Development Plans
Focused on utilizing
workforce and natural
resources
An imbalanced
economic growth
1st – 7th Development Plans
8th – 10th Development Plans
Moved Towards
Sufficiency Economy
Stressed on Human
Capital development
11th Development Plan
(2012-2016)
Use Human Capital +
Technology and Innovation
+ Reconciliation
11

Evaluation of national plans to balance and sustainability
Situation changes during 11th NESDP
12
 Major global changes
 Global rules and regulation
 Multi-polar world economy
 Aging society
 Global climate change
 Global security on food
and energy
 Technological progress
 International terrorism threat
 Major internal changes
 Economic and financial aspect
 Social aspect
 Natural resource and
environmental aspect
 Spatial aspect
 National security aspect

Objectives and Targets
13
Under 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan
Main Objectives
 To promote a peaceful society with good governance.
 To promote sustainable development through restructuring the economy,
society and politics, and nurturing natural resources and environment.
 To prepare the people and the community to be resilient to changes
Key Targets
 Thai society is more peaceful and has good governance.
 All citizens are under social protection.
 Total factor productivity in every sector is increased.
 Shares of agricultural and service sectors in the economy are increased.
 Share of creative economy is increased.
 Thailand’s competitiveness ranking is improved.
 Natural resources and environmental quality are improved.

Under 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan
Six Development Strategies
Creation of Quality Human Capital and Society
• Promoting the just society (Strategy 1)
• Human Development toward a sustainable lifelong learning society (Strategy 2)
Economic Restructuring
• Strengthening of agricultural sector , food & energy security (Strategy 3)
• Restructuring the economy toward quality growth
and sustainability (Strategy 4)
• Creation of regional connectivity for social and economic stability (Strategy 5)
Management of Natural Resources
• Managing natural resource and environment toward
sustainability (Strategy 6)
14

Risk Factors
Challenges affecting agricultural development
15
• Depletion of Natural Resources in Thailand
• Climate change is more severe
• Almost small-scale farming are facing high production cost
• Increase in Bioenergy Demand and Production
• Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN Economic Community
AEC Blueprint : Agriculture and Food
o Tax free within year 2015
• Except the sensitive list (<5%),
• Except highly sensitive list (tax reduced varied in different rate )
o Quality safety and security of food
• HCCP, GAP, GAHP, GHP, GMP,
• R&D and Technology transfer
• Networking of Coop and SMEs

Market Trend
16
Challenges affecting agricultural development
Creative
ConvenientHealthy
Less
environmental
impact
Kimono produced from Thai silk Organic Cotton

Targets
The 11th National Plan in Agriculture
17
 To empower the
agricultural sector to
become an efficient
production base that can
produce food and energy
with value, quality and high
standards, including using
environmentally friendly
methods to generate
sufficient food supplies to
meet market demands with
fair trade and at affordable
prices, but with
consideration for food
security as the first priority
An increase in the proportion of agricultural
commodities and agro-industrial products
to be at least 16% of GDP
Expanding sustainable agricultural areas
at least 5% per year and enhancing consumer
access to safe and healthy food at fair prices
An improved employment security and
income for farmers to enhance the ability to
repay debt
Agricultural households to become
self-sufficient and consume up to 50% of
their own produce by 2016
An increase in ethanol and biodiesel production
with the target of not less than 6.2 and 3.6
million liters per day, respectively

Strategy for Strengthening of agricultural sector , food & energy security (1)
Regain and encourage good agricultural culture and norms, especially the way of life
related to sustainable farming
Restore fertility of land resource, as well as develop integrated water resource
management and increase efficiency of water resource use
Establish an organization and land management system to drive the process of
land distribution equitably, distribute land rights to farmers
Accelerate the process of expropriating private land for agricultural land reform
and enable tax mechanisms to encourage land utilization
Conserve and protect productive agricultural land and support small-scale farmers
to own land for cultivation or to have the rights to arable land
1. Developing the natural resource base to strengthen
the agricultural sector
18

Develop and enhance knowledge, science and technology appropriate to
agriculture through learning centers and local scholar networks
Encourage production supporting the biodiversity base in accordance with climate
and environmental conditions and emphasize on R&D esp. technology development
Control standards of imported and used of chemicals and pesticides in farming ;
encourage use of organic matters, and educate farmers to use pesticide in proper way
Promote agricultural production in accordance with geography, soil productivity,
markets, infrastructure such as irrigation and logistics system
Emphasize agricultural research and development, especially flora and fauna species
which are adaptive and able to respond to the impact of climate change
2. Increasing agricultural productivity
19

Promote logistic management and productivity development for the agricultural sector
that can connect to the whole supply chain
Promote the private sector and local communities to play a role in agricultural product
and food management by cooperating with agricultural institutions
Strengthen the central market and agricultural future exchange market by
providing incentives
Develop cash aquacultures , production technology to reduce production cost, and
improve and develop qualified breeds / increase the value of livestock production
Support communities to increase value in food and energy production and services
in economic development on biodiversity and local wisdom to create uniqueness
3. Creating value added for agricultural products throughout
the supply chain
20

Promote Thailand as a centre of food processing in ASEAN by improving efficiency
in import procedures for material inputs; strengthen small-scale farmers
Develop agricultural institutes, cooperatives, and small and micro community
enterprises as mechanisms to enhance self reliance and sustainability for farmers
Improve farmers’ social welfare / Attract youths, young farmers and skilled labor
to engage in farming
Promote the fairness of the contract farming system to assure guaranteed incomes
and secure raw materials supplied
Develop an income / crop insurance system covering all farmers in order to continue
to restructure to attain sustainable production with increasing productivity
4. Establishing agricultural careers and income security
21

Develop an infrastructure or mechanism to systematically enhance food security in
the community by supporting the role of locals to manage infrastructure services
Promote the application of zero waste principles in agricultural activities in order to
utilize farm residuals and by-products to produce bio-energy
Link local production and consumption networks which can establish direct
relationship between consumers and producers
Promote the sustainable agriculture following the Philosophy, such as organic farming
integrated farming and new theory agriculture, especially for small-scale farmers
Promote farmers to plant trees as well as community forests
5. Establishing food security and the development in bio-energy
at household and community levels
22

Raise awareness of efficiency of bio-energy utilization
Provide mechanisms to monitor bio-energy prices resulting in price stabilization and
fairness to consumers and producers without affecting the nation’s food production
Enhance the efficiency of bio-energy production and utilization in both
the manufacturing and service sectors
Establish the management system for agricultural product for food and energy
by focusing on food security
Promote research and development, and technology application to increase energy
crop productivity as well as research on other non-food crops
6. Securing bio-energy production to support the country’s development
and strengthen the agricultural sector
23

24

Of Sustainable Agricultural Development from FAO
Definition: Sustainable Agriculture
25
“The management and conservation
of the natural resource base, and
the orientation of technological and
institutional change in such a manner
as to ensure the attainment and
continued satisfaction of human needs
for present and future generations.
Such development... conserves land,
water, plant and animal genetic
resources, is environmentally
non-degrading, technically appropriate,
economically viable and socially
acceptable”

By FAO
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
26
Agricultural systems, in both developed and developing countries, need to
use new approaches to increase food supplies while protecting the
resources on which they depend.
• fully exploit natural processes such as recycling nutrients, using plants that
fix their own nitrogen and achieving a balance between pests and predators;
• reduce the reliance on inputs such as mineral fertilizers and chemical
pesticides;
• diversify farming systems, making greater use of the biological and genetic
potential of plant and animal species;
• improve the management of natural resources;
• rotate crops or develop agroforestry systems that help maintain soil fertility.
The ultimate objective should be the optimum mix of agricultural practices,
both old and new, in order to maximize sustainable output within the
limits of available resources.

5 Types of sustainable agriculture practices
Classification of Sustainable Agriculture in Thailand
27
Farming system that has at least two different agricultural activities in
the same field, for example, paddy and fish raising, or pig farming, fish
raising and vegetable plantation.
• Practicing various agricultural activities at the same time helps reduce
costs, that is, the economy of scale is working. For instance, manure and
other farm residues can be used as fertilizer when planting crops.
• This system is suitable for a small-scale farmer, letting him make best use
of limited field area.
• In practice, the system is widely used in the central area of Thailand,
where there are a plenty of water resources.
Farming system that uses only organic fertilizer and herb-based insect-
control compound.
• The reasons of practicing organic farming are a higher demand for organic
food and demand for improving soil quality and underground water quality.
• Until recently, organic rice and vegetables had been sold only in Bangkok
and other major cities. Yet, the market of organic food is now increasingly
expanding.

5 Types of sustainable agriculture practices
Classification of Sustainable Agriculture in Thailand
28
Natural farming's concept is no tillage, no application of fertilizer, herbicide
and insecticide.
• For the ecological preservation aspect, natural farming is ultimate sustainable
agriculture practice.
• At the present, there is nowhere perfectly practicing the natural farming system
in Thailand. Yet, a few natural farming cases can be seen in the Northeastern.
Agroforestry is an idea to put agriculture and afforestation together,
that is, to plant cash crops or raise livestock while planting trees
in the same area.
• Its objectives are not only to increase farmers' income, but also to decrease
deforestation induced by agricultural area expansion. Besides, it also helps
improve the soil quality and biodiversity.
• Agroforestry is conducted in the Northern and Southern areas.
Agricultural system proposed by His Majesty the King Bhumiphol
Adulyadej in 1993. Its basic concept is self-sufficiency.
• Crop selling is a next step after attaining self-sufficiency.
• The concept is most appropriate to the farmers that have limited small field
and lack water.

New Theory Farming System in Thailand
29
Divide the field into 4 parts in the approximate ratio of 30:30:30:10
30% Pond
•Water saving for all
year round
•Fish Aquaculture to
increase more income
•At the edge of the
pond - growing vetiver
grass to protect soil
erosion
30% Paddy Field
•One crop /year
•Storage for year round
consumption
30% Trees/ crops
•Fruits trees
•Perennial trees
•Annual tress
•Herb and spice
•Multi-purpose trees
•Field crops
10% Residential
•Other activities:
vegetable, herb,
mushroom, livestock
ECONOMY
SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT

Concept and Determinant Factors of Each Pillar
30
Definition: Food Security
Source: FAO

Focus on increasing productivity, food security and sustainable development
National Agricultural Plans
31
- To increase productivity continuously in order to respond to
export markets especially cash crops (rice, corn, cassava rubber)
- To develop the irrigation system
- To provide soft loan for farmers
1st – 3rd Plan
4th – 7th Plan
8th – 10th Plan
- To increase productivity continuously
- To restructure agricultural production
- To develop farmers’ skill to increase ability at making decision
on marketing instead of supporting production inputs
- To develop farmers’ skill to increase ability at making decision
on marketing instead of supporting production inputs
- To develop quality and standard for Thai products in order to
respond to the non-tariff barriers
Sustainable Agriculture
Promotion in 8th Plan
Aim to revive the rural community using sustainable farming
by reaching 25 mil rai for sustainable agriculture
and 20 percent of national arable land
targeting 8 mil farmers.

By Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)
32

Increasing efficiency and productivity in agriculture
Food Security
33
1 Plant Genetic Improvement
• Increase yield, quality and nutrition
• New plant varieties that are well-suited to
particular geographical locations
• Plants that are suitable for harvesting and
production technologies
• Plants that are tolerant of local pests and
diseases
Case: Maize breeding for
drought tolerance
2 Pest Management
Case: Water chestnut
sweeping net
Case: Area-wide integrated
control of fruit flies
• Integrated pest management
(IPM system) = area-wide
pest management: key
strategy

Value Creation for agricultural products
Food Security
34
Dried Som Tum “Thai Smile”– vacuumed and dried
food – keeps the freshness of vegetables for Som
Tum. Cooked in microwave oven for a few minutes,
you can enjoy the authentic Thai Som Tum in terms of
taste, sweetness, as well as preserved nutrition
‘Kessara Bakery Shop’ has an idea to bring PlaShaon,
local fish in Singburi, as an important ingredient for
cake and ice cream
‘Proud’ is the Thai sweet brand name.
Its selling point is to package Thai traditional sweets
and dried fruits in nice-looking forms. It is suited for
gifts in every occasion.

Development of aquaculture
Food Security
35
Development of the
Resource Exploration
Standardization
Value Added Product Development
Organic Fishery Aquatic Species
Development
Consumer
Confidence
Building

Development of livestock/ poultry production
Food Security
36
31 Cattle production : Thai-French Natural Beef
Case: Pon Yang Kham’s Traceablity system links animals to final products
• Various techniques to improve
livestock production
• Breeding
• Standard production
procedures
• Animal epidemic control
• Animal fee
42 Poultry Product Safety
• Broiler Farm Standard (2002)
• Chicken Breeder Farm
Standard (2003)
• Poultry Hatchery Standard
(2003)
• Layer Farm Standard (2003)
• Duck Breeder and Duck Farm
Standard (2003)

1. Organic Agriculture Development
37
Good cooperation and networking between
entrepreneur and farmer4
1
The organic export of Thailand valued US$ 100 mil. in 2010
(rice, fruit, vegetable)  growing market for OA
Thailand has broad variety of indigenous plants
suitable environment
2
Thailand has intensive local wisdom and knowledge in agriculture:
OA involved with self-sufficiency and local content3
OA – less environmental impact
Consistent with climate change concern and healthy/safety food5

Under the National Organic Agricultural Development Committee
National Organic Agriculture Plan
Objective: Aim to..
 Upgrade the quality of life of
both farmers and consumers
 Bring about food security
 Increase competitiveness
 Reduce poverty
 Sustainable development
Focus on..
 People-centered approach
 Sufficiency Economy philosophy:
advocated by
His Majesty the King
 Public participation

4 Main Strategies
National Organic Agriculture Plan
39
 Support R&D/
Innovation
 Initiative public
awareness
campaigns to
stimulate
demand and
promote
consumption
 Establish
national organic
information
database
 Support local
networks
strength
 Extend local
markets
 Develop
marketing
knowledge
 Support
supply chain
networking
 Develop OA
standard
 New OA export
markets
 Form
effective OA
development
mechanism
39

2. Thailand: Kitchen of the World
40
International Agriculture Strategies for 2012 - 2016

41
1) Halal Food
High economic value : In 2012, the
world food market reached a value of
USD 1.26 trillion, and the potential food
products that can level up to the Halal
standard was valued at USD 1.01 trillion
(Evaluated from Global Trade Atlas’s data
by Thailand’s National Food Institute)
Thailand’s Food Export Value
World leading exporter of agricultural and food commodities
Export value of World’s food products
Export value of potential food product
to Halal
USD billion
Export value of potential food product to Thai Halal
Export value of potential food product to Thai Halal for OIC market
Export value of potential food product to World Halal
Thailand’s export value for OIC market
 In 2012, export value of agricultural commodities was
1.35 trillion Baht, including food products (source: OAE)
the potential food products that can level up to the
Halal standard was valued at USD 1.01 trillion
 In 2012, the potential food products that can level up to
the Halal standard for OIC export market was valued at
USD 6,534 trillion.
Source : Thailand’s National Food Institute
USD Billion

42
1) Halal Food
Strategic Plans
 Encouraging entrepreneurs to Halal standard production
 Developing Halal industry trough supply chains, linking to other
sector such as tourism & services
 Expanding domestic and international markets widely by the
collaboration with Thai embassy, Agricultural Ambassador and
Commercial Ambassador
To develop Halal
Accreditation
To strengthen
Halal business &
production
 Developing the system of Halal Accreditation internationally and
improving related law and regulations according with current
changes
 Developing HR to be Halal Expert or Halal Specialist
 More financing to support enterprise in Halal production
 Creating Thailand’s Halal product image by the collaboration with
religious org. ,gov. agency and public media
 Expanding domestic and international markets widely by the
collaboration with Thai embassy, Agricultural Ambassador and
Commercial Ambassador
Public relation &
market expansion

43
2) Organic Food
The world’s organic market value tends
to expands continuously. In 2011 the
value was estimated at 63,000 USD billion.
The largest organic market is USA and
then Germany and France.
(source: Organic Monitor)
Source : Earth Net Foundation, 2012
Thailand’s organic market value also
expands continuously. In 2010 the
production of organic food was 47,547
tons, valued at 1,752 million baht. The
organic farm area now is 215,548 rai.
World ‘s organic food market World ‘s organic food market
Source : Earth Net Foundation, 2012
Tons Million baht

44
Strategic Plans
Develop
knowledge
and
innovation
• Promote R&D and technology transfer
• Support the research related to food substance derived from organic
produce
Develop
organic
supply chain
• Develop an infrastructure for organic farming
• Strengthen the networking of organic production and market
• Create public awareness of the consumption pattern to change to organic
food
Create
organic
standard for
Thai product
• Develop organic standard to create customer acceptance for both
domestic and international market
• Establish the strict accreditation for organic produce
Public
relation &
market
expansion
• Promote Thailand as the center of organic food production in SE Asia
• Expand domestic consumption and international market through the AEC
collaboration
• Raise the public awareness of consumption and production pattern to
change to organic practice
2) Organic Food

45
Food Development Plan for Export
Level up the standard
accreditation
Promote Thai food
image and Thailand’s
World Kitchen
Promote R&D for
value creation
through the supply
chain
Develop Human resource
and international
collaboration
• Food export increases by 10% a year
• Food enterprises having the standard increases by 5% a year
• Thai Food image are good taste high quality and healthy
• Create One Stop Service for food industry development
1 2 3 4
• Promote food safety
awareness
• Strict to import process
• Promote networking of
safety consumption
• Create brand and image
through public relation
• Open new market channel
• Promote the road show of
Thai food
• Create value of raw
material
• Create the collaboration of
R&D
• Promote food safety
through supply chain
• Develop food processing
machine
• Increase food quality
• Promote Thailand to be
the World’s kitchen
• Improve law and
legislation on food
• Develop HR for food
industry development
• Create the international
networking of academic
collaboration
Targets
Food development for export
3) Food for Export

Master of Science Program in Sustainable Agriculture in Thailand
Higher Education for Sustainable Agriculture
46
Objectives: To build up the research capacity
and research skill by integrative approach
that can be applied to enhance
the sustainability of agriculture and
environment at the international level
Academic Institutions:
• Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University
• Faculty of Science and Technology,
Thammasat University
• Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen
University (Systems Agriculture)
• Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat Univesity
(Sustainable Agriculture System)

Training Program in Sustainable Agriculture in Thailand
47
• Prince of Songkla University
- Organic Agricultural Strategies
in Thai Style to Food Safety
• Khon Kaen University
- International Training in
Sustainable Crop Production
• Maejo University
- Organic Agriculture
Standard

Highlight issues on sustainable agricultural education
48
Sustainable
Agricultural
Education
1
Change to
more
integrated
approach 2
Develop new
knowledge
and
innovation
3
Support R&D
application
into
practices4
Skill
development
in chemical
use
5
Enhance
post-harvest
processing to
higher value
added
6
Generate
entrepre-
neurial skills

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