GIZ and partners gather to discuss climate-smart rice farming in Thailand

Earlier in August, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the GIZ Management Board, embarked on a journey to Thailand with several important missions to fulfil, one of which included a field visit to Chiang Rai province to observe the progress of sustainable rice farming. Alongside three key partners (the Rice Department, Department of Agricultural Extension, and Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives) the visit featured an integral part: an executive roundtable discussion held to foster mutual commitment in scaling up climate-smart rice farming in Thailand.

The first stop was a farmer demonstration field in Phan district. This field, covering a total area of three rai, has successfully implemented climate-resilient agricultural practices, including the use of Laser Land Levelling techniques, through support of the Rice Department, GIZ and aligned partners. By adopting such practices, the field is not only producing better rice yields but also allowing farmers to diversify their crops, namely growing pumpkins after the rice season ends.

GIZ and partners at the farmer demonstration field in Phan district

Dr Nana Kuenkel (second from left) and Dr Chitnucha Buddhaboon, Deputy Director General of the Rice Department (right) with local farmers

The partners continued their visit in Phan district by meeting with the model women’s farmer group at ‘Maimorn Farm Farmer Housewives Group’, supported by the Department of Agricultural Extension since 2021. Maimorn Farm enables female farmers to collaborate and generate supplementary income beyond traditional farming, making a substantial contribution to the local economy. The group specialises in processing local agricultural products, such as herbs – important economic crops in Chiang Rai – into essential oils and dried herbs. There, the visitors engaged directly with women smallholder farmers to discuss their experiences, potential developments, and specific needs that could be further addressed.

Partners with local female farmers at the Maimorn Farm Farmer Housewives Group

Representatives from the Department of Agricultural Extension and Maimorn Farm Farmer Housewives Group

These two visits were centred around understanding and supporting the ongoing efforts to transform Thailand’s rice farming sector into a model of climate-smart agriculture, focusing on piloting approaches that not only promote sustainable rice farming by smallholder farmers, but also ensure gender-inclusivity in the agriculture sector and the restoration and improvement of ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity.

With a strong network of partnerships, these initiatives aim to scale up Thailand’s agriculture sector, creating a sustainable and resilient rice farming system. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through its develoPPP programme, supported through implementation by GIZ, which has pioneered agricultural initiatives in Chiang Rai along with several public-private partnerships for over a decade.

Before concluding the visit in Chiang Rai, the Executive Roundtable entitled ‘Partnering for Climate-Smart Paradigm Shift in Thai Rice Agriculture’ brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to discuss the future of rice farming in Thailand.

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel at the Executive Roundtable discussion

Mr Schäfer-Gümbel highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving large-scale transformation in the agriculture sector: “I have had the pleasure of visiting Thailand and meeting governmental partners to discuss the transformation of the rice farming sector towards climate-smart production. Thailand is demonstrating how to catalyse change, how pilot projects and data-driven results can be expanded into large initiatives, and how we can continuously transform the rice farming sector and agricultural landscapes on a large scale.”

Thailand’s rice farming sector, like many others globally, faces numerous challenges, including the impacts of climate change. The need for a paradigm shift towards sustainable and climate-smart farming practices has never been more urgent. The Department of Agricultural Extension, in partnership with GIZ, is at the forefront of this transformation. Peeraphan Korthong, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, emphasised the importance of these partnerships in driving change: “In Thailand, we are seeking to build a food system that ensures food security, reduces environmental impact, and drives gender-inclusive growth in the agriculture sector. Our partnership with GIZ focuses on scaling climate smart and regenerative agriculture and promoting a growth mindset that enables farmers to solve longstanding problems, alongside a readiness to tackle new challenges.”

Peeraphan Korthong, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, emphasised the importance of these partnerships in driving change: “In Thailand, we are seeking to build a food system that ensures food security, reduces environmental impact, and drives gender-inclusive growth in the agriculture sector. Our partnership with GIZ focuses on scaling climate smart and regenerative agriculture and promoting a growth mindset that enables farmers to solve longstanding problems, alongside a readiness to tackle new challenges.”

Peeraphan Korthong, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension

The Rice Department, another integral partner in this transformation, is equally committed to the cause. With a focus on improving rice varieties, increasing production efficiency, and ensuring environmental stewardship, the department sees its partnership with GIZ as essential to achieving these goals.

Dr Chitnucha Buddhaboon, Deputy Director General of the Rice Department

Dr Chitnucha Buddhaboon, Deputy Director General of the Rice Department, reiterated the significance of collaboration: “The Rice Department is working to transform the rice farming system in Thailand to be a sustainable one that cares for farmers and the environment. Partnerships are essential to achieve this system change. We are working closely with GIZ to promote access to climate smart technology and know-how of improved rice varieties, increased production efficiency, and to ensure environmental stewardship and grow market linkages for climate smart rice.”

Wichai Paksa, Director of Office of Foreign Affairs, Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives

Wichai Paksa, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs at the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), highlighted the important role of partnerships in overcoming the barriers of technology adoption and financial sustainability among farmers. In collaboration with GIZ, the BAAC has been developing training programmes to strengthen the climate risk expertise of its officers, which is then transferred to farmers. These initiatives not only provide Thai farmers with climate risk literacy but also equip them with the essential skills to build sustainable financial resilience. Together with GIZ, the BAAC is committed to elevating the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers – ensuring that financial support is paired with knowledge to drive sustainable change.

This multi-agency collaboration highlights the importance of joint efforts in addressing the challenges faced by the Thai rice sector. Through these strategic partnerships, Thailand is poised to lead the way in climate-smart agriculture, ensuring a sustainable future for its rice farmers and the environment.