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SPECIAL REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT

UK, Spain, Germany and Thailand

to Raise Roi-Et Rice Farmer’s Income

with Climate-smart Rice Cultivation System

The world leaders in rice sector, the Thai Rice enabled traceability for food safety and quality considerations, and
Department and GIZ recently launched an innovative stimulating domestic and international off-takers to procure
sustainable rice. The partnership also aims to provide access to
joint project to improve the economic viability of finance mechanisms and improve the financial literacy of agriculture
1,200 Thai rice farmers and develop high-quality and cooperatives, with a focus on gender inclusion to unlock opportunities
sustainable Hom Mali rice with a climate-smart system for women.
to mitigate climate change in Roi-Et province. This project forms part of the commitment to sustainability in the
sector, since Thailand plays a major role in the Group’s rice supply
chain. It firmly believes that the best way to achieve sustainability in
The “Sustainable Hom Mali Rice” project will be implemented for
2.5 years (2018-2020). The main implementing partners are the world the sector is through alliances and having such strong partners with
leaders in rice sector, the Thai Rice Department and GIZ. The project millers and farmers all banding together. Currently a lot of discussions
aims to support 1,200 Thai rice growers from each of the 12-community are going on about the sustainability of the rice sectors with the focus
rice centres in Roi-Et province in the production of 3,500 metric tons on the livelihood of farmers, chemical usage, inclusiveness, food
of Hom Mali rice. security and the overall condition and wellbeing of farmers. These
This initiative is part of world rice sector’s journey to source rice issues are not exclusive to smallholders but focusing on them can
from farmers working towards the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) drive industry change.
standard. In 2016, the rice sector reached an important milestone and Hom Mali rice has been declared the world’s best rice and Thailand
now all basmati rice is sourced from farmers working towards the SRP is one of the world’s leading rice exporters, yet rice farmers are among
standard – representing 10 percent of our overall rice volume. From the lowest earners in the country’s agriculture sector. Many Thai rice
now on, the rice sector will be working with the other global rice sector, farmers face rising production costs and fluctuating prices. Under
the Thai Rice Department and GIZ to further the standards outlined this project, we will join forces in developing a sustainable quality of
by the SRP on Hom Mali rice. It guarantees to achieve a more rice. The Rice Department is responsible for planning and
sustainable Hom Mali rice crop in Thailand that benefits all stakeholders implementation of the national rice policy and strategy through
– farmers, rice producers, and the environment. research and development of rice seed, farming practices, post-
In collaboration with the Thai Rice Department, the world leaders harvest and processing, and rice standards. By so doing, we ensure
in rice sector and Hom Mali rice farmers in Thailand, the project will that our implementation can help farmers produce good quality rice
implement numerous interventions such as educating farmers on SRP and reduce the cost of production while increasing rice yield as well
standards and agronomic technologies, giving access to high-quality as quality rice that meets global requirements. It is expected that the
seeds, enhancing the skills of farmer groups, improving gender equity, project will help the farmers to earn additional income in each
adoption of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)- community.

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