South Australia governor seeks Thai partnership in food, agriculture

South Australia State Governor Frances Adamson has committed to fostering collaboration with Thailand in the food and agriculture sectors, highlighting shared economic objectives between the two regions.

Adamson’s visit to Thailand spanned from July 8 to 11, where she engaged with government officials and leaders in various sectors including arts and culture, agriculture, energy, and the wine industry, aiming to bolster South Australia’s economy and trade investments.

Her visit followed that of Australian Governor-General David Hurley, who previously visited Thailand from February 13 to February 17.

In an interview, Adamson commented on the similar goal shared by the two nations, stressing the need for an increased economic partnership.

“Both Thailand and South Australia can collaborate effectively in food and agriculture as we share similar goals in these areas.”

Thailand is striving to position itself as an agriculture and food hub while Australia considers Southeast Asia a vital economic partner under the South East Asia Economic Strategy 2024, noted Adamson, who emphasised that the Australian government prioritises the food and agriculture sector as a key focus area.

Dependable partner

“South Australia is aligning with this strategy by engaging with the Southeast Asian region, and we see South Australia as a dependable partner for Thailand due to our strong position in this sector.”

Adamson further noted that South Australia supplies high-quality food products to the Thai market.

“Thailand ranks as South Australia’s fifth-largest export market, following China, the United States, India, and Malaysia,

“Grain is a significant export. South Australia is the country’s primary grain-producing region, making Australia one of the largest producers globally.”

Adamson acknowledged Thailand’s Ignite Thailand vision, which aims to transform the country into a global hub for eight key industries. She remarked that this vision aligns well with South Australia’s economic plans.

The vision includes precision farming, increasing yields while reducing fertiliser usage, managing water resources, and transitioning to green energy in agricultural sectors.

Maximise crops

Adamson noted that numerous South Australian companies have been working for years to maximise crop yields using probes and sensors to minimise fertiliser use and determine optimal planting times.

“We have companies ready to collaborate with Thailand’s agricultural sector in what will be a long-term process of adjustment and possible transformation… this visit is about understanding the specific needs of your agricultural sectors.

“One of my priorities as governor is to listen to our partners and understand their needs… we have particular strengths, but we need to better understand your requirements to see how we can work together.”

Adamson’s visit underscores the potential for a synergistic partnership between South Australia and Thailand in advancing food and agriculture, with long-term benefits for both regions, reported Bangkok Post.