The National Organic
Agriculture Committee, in its recent meeting, discussed new strategies for
developing Thailand’s organic agriculture industry, to be implemented from 2014
to 2016.
In these strategies, a
vision has been set to develop Thailand as a center for the production, trade,
and consumption of organic agricultural products.
Four strategies will be
implemented during the three-year period. The first strategy focuses on
knowledge and innovation management and the creation of a database for organic
agriculture. In the second strategy, the production of organic agriculture and
supply chains will be developed and linked from upstream to downstream
processing in the form of production network.
The third strategy seeks to
strengthen the marketing and standards of Thailand’s organic agriculture and
create confidence in Thai organic products through brand promotion. The
objective is to increase the volume and value of Thai organic agricultural
goods.
In the fourth strategy, all
relevant agencies will be encouraged to work in an integrated manner to develop
Thailand’s organic agriculture. Toward this aim, a central unit will be set up
to mobilize efforts for the development.
As for the process to
translate these strategies into action, an action plan will be worked out. A
committee and working groups will be formed, comprising representatives of the
public and private sectors, agriculture sector, educational institutions, and
various foundations.
Aware of the importance of
organic agriculture, the Cabinet on 13 March 2012 approved the establishment of
the National Organic Agriculture Committee. The Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Science and
Technology are among members of this committee. The National Organic
Agriculture Committee is responsible for setting policies and strategies for
Thailand’s organic agriculture and integrating all related plans and measures.
The world market for
organic agricultural products has been expanding rapidly, so Thailand stands a
good chance of exporting more chemical-free products. Thai organic products are
in high demand in the international market, but the market size is still
relatively small. Major markets include the United States and the European
Union, followed by Japan and Australia. Among Thai organic agricultural exports
are rice, black tiger prawn, beef, milk, and fish.
Regulating the standards of
organic agriculture is one of the activities of the National Bureau of
Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, which was established in 2002 as a
department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Thailand is also pushing
for the expansion of Thailand’s organic export markets in ASEAN, when it
becomes a single community in 2015.
(thailand.prd.go.th)