Thailand has been praised for a model for sustainable agriculture development and appreciated for achieving in combatting the Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), also support the Thai role in the international arena.

On 21 November 2019, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Mr. Pholphisin Suvanachai, Director of the  Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division, Thailand and Mr. Thanawat Tiensin, Ambassadeur (Agricultural Affaires) Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Rome-Based Agencies for Food and Agriculture (FAO / IFAD / WFP), paid a courtesy call on Deputy Director-General Daniel Gustavson United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the headquarters of Rome, Italy.

Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said that he would like to thank FAO for the great support and cooperation with Thailand throughout the years. Thailand would support the matching concept for the development "Hand-in-Hand Initiative" of the new FAO's Director-General and Blue Growth Initiative besides, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in past cooperation. Thailand has expanded collaboration in agricultural and economic development with neighboring countries and countries outside ASEAN and joined with the Thai private sector.  
"Thailand is ready to cooperate and pass on knowledge and experience in the development of integrated agriculture from upstream to downstream, especially with the emphasis on small-scale farmers, women and youth groups, and ready to upgrade Thailand to be Center of regional excellence in agriculture and food," Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said.

Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut said that the Thai government and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister gave importance to agriculture and fisheries because Thailand was the 12th largest exporter of agricultural and food products in the world. Thailand has developed a system for producing agricultural and food products to comply with international standards. During the 35th ASEAN Summit, the Thai government has driven for regional cooperation. Thailand has proposed a project to "Promote cooperation for sustainable fisheries in the ASEAN region" to encourage the establishment of ASEAN fisheries policy and the establishment of an ASEAN network to combat IUU Fishing.

The adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives has informed the FAO of the policy and operational guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which has changed the view of the work by driving Agriculture 4.0, using digital technology information systems to support agricultural production. Such as the AgriTech and Innovation Center in 77 provinces, which is a linkage between government, private sector, universities, and farmer institution. Including developing an e-commerce system connecting farmers to the market.

"At present, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Giving importance to organic production and food that is safe for consumers. By driving for more certification of organic plots while also supporting the promotion of large-scale farming. To join a group of farmers and smart farmers to run and conduct businesses together, also to reduce production and strengthen the particular group," The adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives reported.

After that, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut and the group paid a courtesy call on Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Mr. Gilbert Houngbo said that IFAD was one of the UN organizations. It acted like the agricultural bank of the world and was established to assist 176 member countries in developing and supporting the linkage of agriculture and business with investment in developing countries. To strengthen the intensity and improve well-being for farmers, youth, and women in rural areas. Most help was a low-interest loan program or funds for academic development, technological innovation, finance, and marketing.

Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut mentioned the policies and directions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the government has given importance to improving farmers' livelihoods and creating opportunities for farmers to access funds to improve production. "Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture is developing Big Data and AI for agriculture. Furthermore, Thailand has adopted the concepts of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy to achieve sustainable development goals," he said.

Mr. Alongkorn Ponlabut thanked IFAD for hosting the meeting "Mekong Knowledge and Sharing Fair" in Bangkok in July 2019. To promote the exchange of experiences of the Mekong countries and to elevate the participation of small-scale farmers with the private sector and financial institutions in the agricultural sector.  And he also thanked IFAD for supporting Thailand as the World Food Security (CFS) president. Besides, preparing to report to Dr. Chalermchai Srion, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, regarding cooperation with FAO and IFAD to join forces with the United Nations and increase the role of Thailand as a world leader in agriculture and food. Also, the opportunity that Thailand has been elected chairman of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) between 2019-2021.

Reference Link : https://www4.fisheries.go.th/index.php/dof/activity_item/3791