Thailand still faces challenges in food production and quality.

Report: Chatrudee Theparat

Thailand still faces challenges in food production and quality. 

Deputy Secretary-general to the National Economic and Social Development Council(NESDC),Jinanggoon Rojananan

The National Economic and Social Development Council(NESDC) warned that Thailand still faces challenges in food production and quality especially among low-income groups and people in remote areas.

Jinanggoon Rojananan, deputy secretary-general of the NESDC said Thailand still faces challenges in food production in many areas, namely the ability to access quality and safe food especially in low-income groups and people in remote areas.

The problem of unsafe food production including the use of food that lacks nutritional knowledge and poor-quality food consumption behavior, as well as food waste problem.

Nearly 193 million people in 53 countries are facing food insecurity caused by population growth, climate change, disasters, water scarcity affecting agriculture productivity, as well as the outbreak of various emerging diseases.

For Thailand, according to data from the Global Food Security Index revealed that in 2021, Thailand ranked 51 st out of 113 countries in food security which is considered in a high rank.

However, when considering food security as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), there are still issues that Thailand must pay attention to food availability.

“The main factor is Thailand imports raw materials in food production with high value and tends to increase. If there is a shortage of raw materials, it can affect food security.”

Thailand imported high value of fertilizers, agricultural hazardous substances and raw materials for feed meal such as in 2021, an import of fertilizers reach 70.10 billion baht, up 51.27% from 46.34 billion baht in 2020.

Agriculture workers continued to declined due to Thai farmers getting older and the use of technology in the agriculture sector is still low that affect to low productivity.

This is reflected in the production of the malnourished production to the total population (Prevalence of Undernourishment(PoU), Thailand’s PoU share is 8.8% of the total population, in other words, there are more than 6.2 million people who are malnourished due to low-income households and issues of the inaccessibility to nutritious food and safety.

She said Thai people still have knowledge, understanding and eating behaviors that are incompatible with good nutrition which resulted in inadequate nutrition, as well as food waste.

On food stability or access to adequate food. Even in crisis, there is no risk of sudden food shortage. Thailand has managed to provide people with access to food and water in times of crises by allowing communities to play an important role in food production for households and communities. However, low-income earners or vulnerable groups are more likely to be affected more severely than others.

Regarding to future food security, there are issues that need to be emphasized including the development of food production efficiency by promoting research and development of technology.

Creating incentives for farming and increasing the number of young farmers by developing income insurance and social welfare systems to cover all farmers, and setting a single standard for food safety.

The other issues that should be focused including the improvement and development of logistics systems for agricultural and food products by supporting the efficient production, marketing and distribution.

“The government should establish a food security management system in times of crisis by establishing clear guidelines and mechanisms for operating.”

Ensuring the proper plans are in place to prevent shortages of feedstock, feed materials that are highly imported-dependent, promoting food safety at the household and community level by promoting resilient agriculture and food systems that can support in times of crisis.