IFOAM | Thailand Case Studies for Organic Agricultural Development, In the early 1980s the Alternative Agriculture Network was founded to promote organic and sustainable agriculture. Starting in the early 1990s, market incentives were introduced and extension methods revised. A local organic certification body was founded to ensure better market access, driven by a combination of efforts by the private sector and NGOs. Almost 14,000 ha is under organic management, representing less than 0.1% of the total agricultural land, and 2,500 farms are certified. Rice is the dominant crop, followed by fruits and vegetables. Most organic produce, especially rice, is exported, mainly to Europe. Most of the vegetables are sold locally. In 2004 many organic brands were available in small shops and in mainstream supermarkets, particularly in Bangkok, where there is a wide range available. The domestic market for certified organic products is estimated to be US$13.7 million, while export was estimated to be around US$11.8 million. The non-certified and health food market is estimated to be US$83.33 million. Apart from the initial private-sector certification body, the Department of Agriculture also offers free certification through an agency. Half of the producers are certified by foreign certification bodies. There is a voluntary government standard for organic production and a governmental program for accreditation of certification bodies. The central government has recently adopted a program for organic development, including massive investments in the production of biofertilizers. The royal family has promoted self-sufficient sustainable agriculture and the Royal Project has recently started organic production. One province has embarked on a large-scale organic project. The sector has a number of organizations but no one uniting body. Collaboration between the sector and the government is still weak. (Author: Vitoon Panyakul) (Adapted From IFOAM, Building Sustainable Organic Sectors) Further Reading about the Early Organic Sector in Thailand:

	Thailand Case Studies for Organic Agricultural Development, In the early 1980s the Alternative Agriculture Network was founded to promote organic and sustainable agriculture. Starting in the early 1990s, market incentives were introduced and extension methods revised. A local organic certification body was founded to ensure better market access, driven by a combination of efforts by the private sector and NGOs. Almost 14,000 ha is under organic management, representing less than 0.1% of the total agricultural land, and 2,500 farms are certified. Rice is the dominant crop, followed by fruits and vegetables. Most organic produce, especially rice, is exported, mainly to Europe. Most of the vegetables are sold locally. In 2004 many organic brands were available in small shops and in mainstream supermarkets, particularly in Bangkok, where there is a wide range available. The domestic market for certified organic products is estimated to be US$13.7 million, while export was estimated to be around US$11.8 million. The non-certified and health food market is estimated to be US$83.33 million. Apart from the initial private-sector certification body, the Department of Agriculture also offers free certification through an agency. Half of the producers are certified by foreign certification bodies. There is a voluntary government standard for organic production and a governmental program for accreditation of certification bodies. The central government has recently adopted a program for organic development, including massive investments in the production of biofertilizers. The royal family has promoted self-sufficient sustainable agriculture and the Royal Project has recently started organic production. One province has embarked on a large-scale organic project. The sector has a number of organizations but no one uniting body. Collaboration between the sector and the government is still weak. (Author: Vitoon Panyakul) (Adapted From IFOAM, Building Sustainable Organic Sectors) Further Reading about the Early Organic Sector in Thailand:



	In the early 1980s the Alternative Agriculture Network was founded to promote organic and sustainable agriculture. Starting in the early 1990s, market incentives were introduced and extension methods revised. A local organic certification body was founded to ensure better market access, driven by a combination of efforts by the private sector and NGOs. Almost 14,000 ha is under organic management, representing less than 0.1% of the total agricultural land, and 2,500 farms are certified. Rice is the dominant crop, followed by fruits and vegetables. Most organic produce, especially rice, is exported, mainly to Europe. Most of the vegetables are sold locally. In 2004 many organic brands were available in small shops and in mainstream supermarkets, particularly in Bangkok, where there is a wide range available. The domestic market for certified organic products is estimated to be US$13.7 million, while export was estimated to be around US$11.8 million. The non-certified and health food market is estimated to be US$83.33 million. Apart from the initial private-sector certification body, the Department of Agriculture also offers free certification through an agency. Half of the producers are certified by foreign certification bodies. There is a voluntary government standard for organic production and a governmental program for accreditation of certification bodies. The central government has recently adopted a program for organic development, including massive investments in the production of biofertilizers. The royal family has promoted self-sufficient sustainable agriculture and the Royal Project has recently started organic production. One province has embarked on a large-scale organic project. The sector has a number of organizations but no one uniting body. Collaboration between the sector and the government is still weak. (Author: Vitoon Panyakul) (Adapted From IFOAM, Building Sustainable Organic Sectors) Further Reading about the Early Organic Sector in Thailand: Case Study Overview Agricultural Conditions Early Development Market Development Regulatory Framework and Policy Organization, Structure, Lessons Learned IFOAM is constantly updating the information on this website. Comments or suggestions contact the Platform Coordinator Back to the Growing Organic main page




	IFOAM - International Federation of Organic Agriculture \| info@ifoam.org