Thailand’s International Agriculture Strategies for 2012-2016

(16/03/2012)

Thailand’s international agriculture strategies for 2012-2016 focus on creating confidence in Thai agricultural products and food in order to strengthen the country’s farm sector on a sustainable basis. The strategies were approved by the Cabinet, during its meeting on 13 March 2012, following a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. They seek to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand’s agricultural and food businesses, develop the quality of Thai food and other agricultural products for both traditional and emerging markets, and promote cooperation with the international community under various cooperative frameworks. During the five-year period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will prepare for holding international negotiations to ease the problem of protectionist measures imposed by foreign countries. It will also step up public relations campaigns to promote Thailand’s agricultural commodity and food standards and make them better known in the international market. In order to develop international cooperation with foreign countries, the Ministry will work in partnership with international organizations for research and development, as well as technology transfer. It reported to the Cabinet that the five-year strategies are in line with the Government’s polices presented in the National Assembly in August 2011. According to the policies, the Government will expand the role of agricultural and food businesses, which have long been Thailand’s national income and employment sources. The objective is to develop Thailand as a center for food trade and food production of high quality in order to meet the demand of consumers with high income and unique preferences. Moreover, the Government will strive to develop Thailand to be the center of futures markets for such agricultural commodities as rice, sugar, and tapioca. The move will help accelerate the country’s ambitious project to turn Thailand into the “Kitchen of the World.” Regarding the agricultural sector, the Government will increase crop productivity through research and development on crop strain improvement, develop production technology, and transfer research knowledge to farmers, so that they can use crop strains and technologies that are appropriate to local conditions. It will also develop value-added agro-industries to increase Thailand’s competitiveness in the world market. Efforts will be made to upgrade the quality of Thai agricultural goods, so that they will gain greater recognition in foreign markets. Apart from expediting negotiations on various agreements concerning Thailand’s agricultural commodity and food standards, the Government will boost Thailand as the Kitchen of the World, in terms of agricultural products, food, and the country’s agricultural investment overseas.