A stakeholder meeting on appropriate land and soil management approaches and models in the ONLB area was held at the village hall in Dong Mafai village, Makluea Mai subdistrict, Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, on 12 September 2025

From August to September 2025, the Climate, Coastal and Marine Biodiversity (CCMB) project, implemented by GIZ Thailand, in collaboration with the Office of the National Land Policy Board (ONLB) and Kasetsart University (as the project advisory team), organised stakeholder consultations at the Khun Mae Tha National Forest Reserve in Chiang Mai province (27 August 2025), and the Pak Chong and Mu Si National Forest Reserves in Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima province (12 September 2025). In addition, a public hearing was held at the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University to gather further input from relevant agencies (19 September 2025).

This activity was part of the Carbon Sink Assessment and Guidelines on ONLB Land, which aims to assess carbon sequestration and biodiversity potential while developing appropriate land and soil management approaches such as integrated farming and sustainable agriculture to generate shared environmental, social and economic benefits that will ultimately improve the quality of life for residents in ONLB areas over the long term.

The consultants presented the results of soil carbon assessments in the pilot study areas, based on previously collected soil samples. They also sought feedback from local authorities and farmers on land and soil management approaches appropriate to the local context to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity. In addition, they identified key indicators for assessing co-benefits prioritised by farmers, which will help guide the development of a model and a Carbon Sink Potential Roadmap for the ONLB area.

A stakeholder meeting on appropriate land and soil management approaches and models in the ONLB area was held at Khun Mae Tha Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, Mae On district, Chiang Mai province, on 27 August 2025

The Khun Mae Tha National Forest Reserve in Chiang Mai province serves as a successful model for transitioning from monoculture to integrated and organic farming. This approach not only provides farmers with stable income but also significantly improves their quality of life. It acts as a case study for other ONLB areas, where nearly 50% of the land remains under monoculture, encouraging the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, it enhances soil carbon sequestration, restores soil fertility and maintains ecological balance. This method aligns with the principle of ‘keeping water in the soil, keeping the soil in place’, aiming to reduce the risk of natural disasters and promoting sustainability across all dimensions, in line with the ONLB’s vision of ‘land management for sustainable livelihoods’.

The Pak Chong and Mu Si National Forest Reserves in Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, are undergoing a transformation from field crops to fruit trees and perennial plants. The team visited the area to gather input from farmers and local authorities on land and soil management practices, which are shifting from monoculture field crops to mixed planting systems such as coffee combined with fruit and perennial trees. This approach enhances carbon sequestration and generates additional social, economic and environmental benefits.

A stakeholder meeting on appropriate land and soil management approaches and models in the ONLB area was held in the FORTROP meeting room, 60th Anniversary Forestry Building, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, on 19 September 2025

Following the hearings with farmers and local authorities in the two areas, CCMB representatives, together with ONLB officials and the project advisory team, held additional meetings to gather feedback and suggestions from relevant agencies. This input will play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the project. Participating agencies included the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Agricultural Land Reform Office, the Office of Agricultural Economics, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, the Royal Forest Department, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Land Development Department, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Agricultural Extension.

The consultants will analyse feedback and suggestions from farmers, local authorities and relevant agencies to refine the guidelines and develop a ‘Carbon Sink Potential Roadmap’ for the ONLB area. This roadmap will be tailored to the economic, social and environmental context of each area and will be shaped through community participation to ensure public acceptance. Ultimately, it will support the future expansion of sustainable practices in other ONLB areas.

In addition, the Carbon Sink Assessment and Guidelines on ONLB Land under the CCMB project is supported by the Support Project for Implementation Instruments of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement (BioClime), which promotes the integration of biodiversity and climate change policies.

For more information about the CCMB project, visit https://www.thai-german-cooperation.info/en_US/climate-coastal-and-marine-biodiversity-ccmb/