Bangkok, Thailand – At the National Knowledge-Sharing Workshop on Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), key stakeholders identified public-private partnership (PPP) as a vital mechanism for scaling CSA in Thailand. The Mekong Institute (MI) with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) organized this workshop on October 30-31, 2024 in Bangkok to chart the next steps for promoting and adopting CSA in the country.
Speaking before CSA experts and practitioners from the government, academe and the development sector, MI Executive Director, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, emphasized the importance of CSA in mitigating climate risks that threaten Thailand’s agricultural sector. He noted that this year, the sector has faced significant losses due to extreme weather events such as severe flooding and the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon. Mr. Suriyan pointed out the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders, including financial entities and local communities, to make CSA accessible and scalable for smallholder farmers.
Mr. Shayne McKenna, First Secretary (Development) at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, conveyed the Australian Government’s commitment to fostering resilience and inclusivity in the Mekong subregion through the Mekong Australia Partnership. He underscored the value of collaborative solutions to address shared and transboundary climate challenges.
Dr. Pongthai Thaiyotin, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), delivered a keynote address outlining Thailand’s strategic policies and technological innovations geared towards a sustainable agricultural sector. He introduced two key initiatives: the 3Rs policy—Re-Habit, Replace with High-Value Crops, and Replace with Alternate Crops—for minimizing PM 2.5 emissions, and the 3G Support—Green Product, Green Loan, and Green Market—for promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Presentations from various organizations, including the Office of Agricultural Economics, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Kasetsart University and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, provided multi-sectoral perspectives on CSA implementation.
The workshop hosted breakout sessions that identified strategic pathways for scaling CSA adoption. The strategies include policy alignment, capacity-building, and financial mobilization to address barriers such as unclear incentives for farmers transitioning from conventional to climate-smart practices. Participants also discussed challenges like limited access to government information and limitations related to land ownership and financial resources faced by smallholder farmers.
Despite these challenges, numerous opportunities emerged during discussions, including supportive policies for smart farming, advancements in digitalization, and green finance initiatives. PPP was recognized as a crucial mechanism for scaling CSA efforts. Participants also noted the potential for multi-sectoral collaboration within ASEAN countries, alongside increased financial support from institutions.
“We must continue building the enabling environment for CSA and each of you plays a valuable role in this,” said Ms. Maria Theresa S. Medialdia, Director of the Agricultural Development and Commercialization Department of MI, during her closing remarks. She encouraged participants to sustain the momentum, carrying forward the insights, strategies and commitment that were nurtured throughout the sessions.
The workshop concluded with a field visit to Kubota Farm, where different agricultural innovations in addressing climate risks were shown.
