Bangkok: The Prime Minister pointed out that research on agricultural products must be further developed to ensure quality, increase exports of Thai food ingredients, and support soft power as a good cultural ambassador. Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, said in the program “Thai Opportunity with Prime Minister Paethongtarn” about agricultural development to elevate the Thai economy that there are approximately 10 million Thai farmers, with agricultural land accounting for 47%, almost half of Thailand, but the agricultural sector contributes only 9% of GDP, which is a very small proportion. This shows that Thai farmers work hard but earn little money, such as rice. Many countries have increased their exports, causing global prices to fall. The Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives have been instructed to urgently solve the problem by issuing assistance measures to help farmers. I am confident that the price of products will increase.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized that the important thing that the agricultural sector must continue to do is research (R and D). Every country invests in research to develop plant breeds and raise animals for export with better quality. There are many perspectives on research, such as precision agriculture, assessing which types of plants are best for growing in certain soils. Animal research is not about creating new breeds all the time, but rather researching which environments produce products with added value. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently working on this issue. Research allows farmers to work the same amount, produce more, produce higher quality products, and sell them at higher prices.
The Prime Minister said that for Thai fruits, new economic plants, Thailand is a major exporter of durian, longan, mango, and mangosteen to the world, but now every country is trying to compete in producing durian because it is a valuable product. Therefore, we cannot stop developing ourselves. Therefore, we emphasize research to push forward because the market is always competitive.
The Prime Minister also said that we will have the power to negotiate and build confidence in exports to foreign countries by developing infrastructure such as land bridges and high-speed trains, which will help reduce costs, make exports efficient, and be able to deliver fresh products. He also intends to change Thai fruits to have more value, to be like “French wine” with high value. He wants to push for the processing of Thai fruits and increase the value of Thai products. Thailand likes to grow tea, coffee, and alternative plants. There are some types of coffee that can be sold at high prices.
‘The government wants to grow more coffee varieties. Thailand’s unique resources and climate make our products special. Therefore, coffee farmers can create new varieties of coffee, including unique Thai methods of consumption, as well as other agricultural products. Once the products are created, our standards can be set, which will help increase the value of Thai agricultural products,’ the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also said that on the issue of Thai restaurants that sell Thai food around the world, if any restaurant uses Thai ingredients, they will be given a ‘star’ as a guarantee and it is an increase in the opportunity to export Thai ingredients so that the world can experience the taste of real Thai food. Currently, there is a Thai SELECT to rank the stars of various products in Thai restaurants abroad. This is considered a continuation of the Thai Kitchen to the World Kitchen policy since the time of the Thai Rak Thai government. Thai food is considered an important soft power. Using food as an ambassador (Gastrodiplomacy) to build international relations. When there is an opportunity to talk with foreign leaders, they will talk about Thai food because it is an easy topic to talk about. Everyone knows it. Food can be considered a good ambassador. In addition to exporting Thai products, processing Thai products is also very important. Processing them into something that is easier to export and has
a longer shelf life will increase opportunities. For example, regarding the issue of oversupply of products in the market, if we can process them, it will be an opportunity for farmers as well.