Thailand sows seeds of change at World Food Security meeting

Thailand’s commitment to advancing global food security took centre stage as officials participated in the 52nd Committee on World Food Security meeting in Rome, highlighting efforts to enhance agricultural policy and women’s roles.

Discussions focused on food security and nutrition, aiming to address global hunger challenges.

The meeting, held at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters, saw participation from representatives of 121 member countries, the United Nations, private sectors, and civil society organisations.

Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile chaired the sessions, with Alvaro Lario, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), urging immediate global action to combat food insecurity. He emphasised the necessity for accessible, safe, and affordable food for all, revealing IFAD’s plan to invest over US$10 billion in rural agricultural development to boost productivity and resilience.

Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, highlighted the significance of the gathering in addressing global challenges related to food.

“The outcomes of this meeting will play a crucial role in helping member states address current challenges.”

Combating hunger

This year’s meeting also marked the 50th anniversary of the CFS and the 20th anniversary of adopting guidelines on the right to food, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat hunger.

A recent report on global food security revealed that between 713 and 757 million people worldwide face hunger, representing approximately one in 11 of the global population. Furthermore, 2.33 billion people experience food scarcity, showcasing the urgent need for effective policies.

The international community, including governments, civil society, and international bodies like FAO, IFAD, and the World Food Programme (WFP), must collaborate closely to create responsive agricultural policies.

Chantanon Wannakejon, Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics, emphasised Thailand’s dedication to becoming the “Kitchen of the World.” He highlighted the readiness of the Thai agricultural sector to meet both domestic and international food security needs through a market-driven approach, innovation, and income enhancement.

“Thailand aims to develop resilient and sustainable producers by integrating agricultural innovation and technology, boosting product value, and enhancing economic value.

“Thailand’s efforts extend to promoting precision agriculture and climate-smart farming, enabling Thai farmers to adapt to and withstand challenges. The country is also focusing on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model and carbon credit projects in agriculture to balance productivity with environmental care.”

Leader in agriculture

This approach aims to propel high-value agricultural exports to global markets, reinforcing Thailand’s role as a quality and standard leader in agricultural production and export, reported KhaoSod.

Hiranya Sarasom, director of the International Agricultural Economics Division, presented strategies for promoting gender equality in agriculture.

She highlighted initiatives to strengthen women’s agricultural groups, resulting in increased income for women’s groups across Thailand’s 77 provinces. Support for creating model food sources and accessing community funding has also been pivotal in these efforts.

Thailand’s proactive stance and strategic initiatives exemplify the country’s commitment to playing a significant role on the global stage, contributing to both national and international food security goals.