Deputy Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek disclosed that the Government has placed importance on organic farming promotion for the benefit of both farmers and domestic consumers. Organic products have become popular worldwide with the global value of over US$100 billion. Major markets are Europe and North America, while China, Australia, and Asian markets are now on the rise. Domestic market value of organic farming products accounts for 3 billion Baht, and export value, 2 billion Baht. According to the Deputy Government Spokesperson, the National Organic Farming Commission has met to deliberate on several agendas, and the outcomes are as follows:

The meeting approved a plan of action on organic farming (2017-2022) under the integrative operation of 7 ministries, namely, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Industry. Objective of the plan is to achieve 3 strategies: 1) promoting research and development on organic farming, knowledge building and dissemination; 2) developing organic farming products and services; and 3) developing markets, and uplifting organic farming standards at both community, national, and ASEAN levels. ASEAN member countries also came to terms to develop Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Organic Agriculture, under which 209 projects will be implemented in 2021, for the total budget of 1.9 billion Baht.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson added that the Government strives to promote consumption of organic products in schools, medical facilities, hotels, and restaurants, and organic farming in both farmers’ private, state-allocated, and reformed agricultural lands. Organic rice farming, which has expanded over 300,000 rai across the country, is an example of the success endeavor. Farmers are encouraged to switch to organic farming, while the Government will provide support throughout the process from the upstream (e.g., microbial pesticide, production efficiency enhancement, increase of laboratories, etc.), midstream (e.g., product processing, improvement of logistics system, etc.), and downstream (e.g., market connection, online distribution, roadshows, business matching, etc.)