Thailand Farmers Learn Climate-Smart Rice Farming Techniques
BANGKOK—A groundbreaking initiative is revolutionizing rice farming in Thailand, equipping over a quarter of a million farmers with climate-smart techniques and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ambitious “Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project,” launched February 26, 2025, at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, represents a powerful collaboration between international organizations, the Thai government, and private sector partners.
Operating under the motto “Rice is More: More Visions, More Actions, More People Benefit,” the project secured €118 million (approximately $127 million USD or 4.181 billion baht). Funding comes primarily from the BMZ Green Climate Fund and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under its develoPPP program, supplemented by contributions from Ebro Foods, Mars Food, Olam Agri, and PepsiCo, demonstrating significant private sector commitment to sustainable agriculture.
The project’s core objective is to train 253,400 farmers across 21 key rice-growing provinces in climate-smart agriculture practices. By 2028, it anticipates a reduction of 2.44 million tons of carbon emissions. This transformative approach integrates sustainable practices throughout the rice production lifecycle, from planting to harvest. Dr. Timo Menniken, Country Director of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Thailand, emphasized the collaborative effort, highlighting the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including the Rice Division and Agricultural Extension Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).
The project focuses on providing access to and training in ten climate-smart agricultural technologies. These range from laser land leveling and weather forecasting data to alternate wet and dry water management and integrated pest management. These technologies mitigate environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boost productivity, enhance climate change resilience, and improve farmers' incomes and quality of life by increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
The launch event, attended by approximately 200 representatives from government, private industry, farming communities, and research organizations, fostered dialogue and solidified the shared vision. Detailed operational plans were developed for each of the 21 target provinces, ensuring a tailored approach to meet regional needs.
Dr. Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Thailand, underscored the vital importance of partnership in addressing the complex challenges of climate change, recognizing that no single entity can achieve such impactful change alone. Anon Nontree, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Please verify title accuracy), echoed this sentiment, explaining that the “Rice is More” motto encapsulates the project’s multifaceted approach to enhancing rice yields, bolstering farmer livelihoods, and strengthening the entire rice market ecosystem. He emphasized that Thai rice must be synonymous with quality, innovation, and global competitiveness.
Dr. Menniken of GIZ expressed confidence that this collaboration will effectively mainstream climate-friendly rice farming, leading to increased farmer incomes and a significant contribution to global climate change mitigation. The “Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project” offers a compelling model for sustainable agricultural development, highlighting the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in building a more resilient and prosperous future for farmers and the environment.
