PUBLISHED: 5 May 2024 at 17: 01
A system of Thai rice stakeholders has come together to develop national policies and associated initiatives to promote socially conscious rice farming practices in order to protect, restore, and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems across a range of landscapes.
During the project’s inception workshop, Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes in Thailand ( ISRL ) project’s most recent synergy between government agencies, public, private, and non-governmental partners was demonstrated.
Chitnucha Buddhaboon, Rice Department Deputy Director- General, gave a presentation speech during the ISRL founding workshop:” We’re informed of problems facing wheat farmers. In Thailand, the practice of traditional wheat farming should be carefully altered. To protect farmers ‘ livelihoods and resilience and to lessen the impact of corn farming on the environment, we value scheme implementation, research, development, and cooperation.
Mr. Chitnucha claimed that his department has just introduced 10 new rice cultivars that are better-quality, suitable for any region of the nation, drought-resistant, and flood resistant, as well as reducing the use of fertilizers and greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions.
” These grain varieties will improve farmer’s employment and Thailand’s profitability in the global market,” he said.
Thailand produces and exports the most corn on the planet. According to him, increased production in the past years without lasting landscape management has led to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and declining habitat services.
Nana Kuenkel, Project Director and Cluster Coordinator, GIZ said:” The Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes in Thailand ( ISRL ) project will enable all stakeholders to transform rice and agricultural production landscapes by reconciling competing social, economic , and environmental interests.”
Ms. Kuenkel praised the ISRL project’s efforts to co-develop and demonstrate an integral and multidisciplinary environment management strategy to transition from conventional to sustainable rice cultivation. It aims to build plans, power, and funding to implement and premium adoption of sustainable corn gardening practices while maintaining, restoring, and improving landscapes, ecosystems and biodiversity.
By the year 2027, she said, more than 45 000 Thai producers joining the project will receive training to increase their management and production methods.
In order to lower planting expenses and the potential risks of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, communities will learn how to make their own organic composts and biocontrol items. Agroforestry and produce growth will also be conducted. An estimated one million rai of rice farmland and forest ( 160, 00 hectares ) are expected to adopt such farming methods, leading to a reduction of GHG emissions and toxic chemicals.
Also, she added, the project will promote improved management of Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani’s high-value forests and forest restoration.