CLAIR implemented a Specialist Dispatch Project for Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) from 2 to 3 December 2021. The details of the project are stipulated as follows:

1. Objectives of the Specialist Dispatch Project

This program is designed to leverage the administrative qualities and technical capabilities of overseas local governments, and at the same time to develop the necessary human resources, as well as to strengthen friendly and cooperative ties between Japanese and overseas local governments. Normally the project is conducted onsite, but in light of the travel restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project for Nakhon Phanom PAO was conducted in the form of online lectures.

2. Project Background

Located in the northeastern part of Thailand, Nakhon Phanom PAO’s economic backbone is supported by agriculture, with 60% of its local areas under cultivation and approximately 46% of all households engaged in farming. In this regard, however, local farmers face the following challenges:

• Limited markets, in addition to pressures from intermediaries have resulted in the low prices of local agricultural products
• Difficulties in incorporating sustainable agriculture

Against this backdrop, Nakhon Phanom PAO requested the dispatch of a specialist in the agricultural sector, whereby CLAIR dispatched a former employee of Yamagata Prefectural Government specializing in organic farming and other related fields.

3. Contents of Lectures

Around 30 local farmers and related personnel participated in the program. In light of the challenges faced by Nakhon Phanom PAO, the specialist conducted a series of lectures that introduced ideas such as the ‘Farmers’ Market’, which allows producers to determine the selling price of their produce, as well as other lectures on the certification system, concept and practices of organic farming.

(Lecture Contents)

1. Management and operation of a farmers’ market
2. Certification system of organic crops
3. Theory for techniques on organic farming
4. Practical techniques on organic farming
5. Weed control in organic farming of rice/paddy

4. Conclusion

Although this project was conducted virtually, which did not allow for onsite observation or direct instructions, participants asked many questions during the lecture, and we were able to sense a high level of interest and concern about farmers’ market and organic farming. In particular, various questions about organic farming were asked by farmers who are already practicing it locally, and they received specific advice from the specialists. It is hoped that this project will be able to further develop the agriculture sector in Nakhon Phanom PAO.

CLAIR aspires to further enhance its collaborative ties with local governments in the region through the Specialist Dispatch Project.

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