Sustainable Aromatic Rice Initiative (SARI) – Thailand

CONTEXT

Thai rice farmers are particularly vulnerable. They are affected by the negative effects of climate change such as unpredictable drought or heavy storms which cause rising production costs. Other challenges faced by farmers include a lack of knowledge to apply inputs correctly and inefficient market access.

OBJECTIVE

To build and improve the inclusive rice value chain in Thailand for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders, namely Thai rice farmers, millers, traders and international consumers as well as government extensionists

APPROACHES

The project recruits 1,200 Thai farmers in the northeast of Thailand, forms them into farmer group and provides them with capacity building in Sustainable Rice Cultivation practices. They will be able to produce SRP rice and facilitate the market linkage with millers and exporters. In addition, the project also conducts a field inspection and provides technical advice for farmers. A Performance Management System (PMS) is also set up through the rice value chain. Furthermore, the improvement in incomes, the environment, and the farmers’ quality of life are monitored digitally to ensure sustainability.

RESULTS SO FAR

• 1,279 farmers in Suvannabhumi District, Roi-Et have been trained on the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard and linked to the sustainable rice value chain.
• 450 farmers have been certified by Control Union as a third-party audit. The average score was 91%. These farmers were certified as “having sustainably cultivated rice production”.
• 33% Income increased compared to baseline in 2017.
• 29% of water reduction in sustainable rice production (liters/kg of paddy).
• The trained farmers could sell rice in the amount of 9,354 metric ton to millers.

FINANCED BY

Mars food

COUNTRY

Thailand

PROJECT PARTNERS

Thai Rice Department (TRD), Mars Food and HERBA (Ebro)

PROJECT DURATION

07/2018 – 06/2023

MORE INFORMATION

SARI – Thailand | Sustainable Agrifood System in ASEAN (asean-agrifood.org)