TFNet organized 2 study visits to agricultural and food processing projects for the Malaysian Department of Agriculture, to Thailand from 7 to 11 December and 14 to 18 December 2009. Both the study visits were made possible with the assistance of the Foreign Agricultural Relations Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand.

The objectives of study visit were:-

  1. To observe the system of collection, wholesale, distribution and retail of agricultural products in Thailand
  2. To observe the on-farm technologies practiced in the production of quality fruits and vegetables.
  3. To understand the organizational capacity of agencies involved in the marketing of agricultural products in Thailand
  4. To look at the implementation of programs related to food safety and quality assurance, for agricultural products, in Thailand.
  5. To observe the management of some agro-tourism sites.

The first study visit which comprised advanced farmers and extension officers from the Department of Agriculture Malaysia visited fruits, vegetables and rice projects with special focus on organic production. The participants also visited a banana chip production and agro-tourism projects run by women farmers.

The places visited were as follows:

• Or Tor Kor Market, Chatuchak – a market which emphasizes on quality and safe fresh produce. Products sold are also conveniently packed.

• Khao Cha-ngum Royal Initiatives Project, Photharam District – Participants visited a study/research center based on a ‘new theory’ module system that is presently implemented on rehabilitated land. The system is an integrated approach to sustainable agriculture with the incorporation of rice production (paddy field), fish production (pond), and other food sources (vegetables or fruits orchard), plus land area for a house.

• New Theory Demonstration Project, Park Thor District – Participants visited a training center where farmers are trained on the ‘new theory’ system and how it should be implemented.

• Floating Market, Damneon Saduak – an agrotourism site where trading of fresh fruits, vegetables, souvenirs and others are carried out by traders in small boats along the canal.

• Asparagus and Baby-corn Farm under Tha-nut Professional Promoting Group, Tha-nut Sub-District – Participants observed and were briefed on a baby corn and asparagus project carried out by young farmers on ex-paddy land. The project area includes a collection and packaging center, where asparagus and baby corn are selected, graded, packed, stored and exported.

• Organic Vegetable and Fruits Farm, Don Kruay Sub-District – This organic farm produces biocides and fertilizer using herbal formula and various vegetables and fruit extracts, including discards from the mangosteen fruit.

• Talaad Thai Wholesale Market, Pathumthani Province – The largest wholesale market in Asia gave the participants a presentation on the operations of the 200 hectare market, which has 12 sections catering for vegetables, meats, oranges, fish / marine product, processed products, mixed fruits market and cold storage.

• Organic Vegetable Farm and Paddy Field, Singhanart District – Participants were brought to a village involved in paddy cultivation an area of 600 hectare, and the organic production of more than 20 kinds of vegetables and herbs. There is also a concerted effort to grow ‘Vietnamese Vegetables’ for export to Vietnam.

• Women Farmers’ Group (Banana Processing), Bang-ban District – Participants visited a centre of activities for women farmers group, and observed their main activities such as banana processing, mineral water production and ‘home stay’ services.

The second study visit, which comprised women entrepreneurs and extension officers from the Department of Agriculture Malaysia was held from 14 – 18 December 2009. As with the first group, this group also visited the Or Tor Kor Market at Chatuchak and the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak. The other places included:

• Banana farm at Ban Laad – participants were brought to a banana cooperative which supplies the fruits to the local supermarkets. The participants observed operations in the packing house which includes selecting, grading, cleaning, drying and packaging.

• Farm women group at Ban Laad – The women group demonstrated to the participants the processing of banana/pumpkin chips and also brown sugar

• Agricultural Center Market at Tha-Yang – observation of an organized fruits and vegetables collection and wholesale center

• Horticulture demonstration project at Tha-Rang – The production of sweet corn was highlighted in this demonstration project.

• Fruit ‘Agro-tourism’ at Supatra Land – an agro-tourism fruit park highlighting the common tropical fruits grown in Thailand. Activities included visits to the various fruit plots and fruit tasting. Participants were also briefed by the Director of the Provincial Agriculture & Cooperatives.

• Farm women group at Ban Kai – a demonstration by the farm women on small scale processing of banana and pineapple candy