GETHAC Project aims to support Thai farmers for sustainable agricultural production systems and establish innovation network partners for Thailand's agriculture
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The German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation (GETHAC) project is a bilateral initiative established under the Joint Declaration of Intent between Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), signed on August 26, 2020.
Phase 2 (2024–2026)
Currently, the project is in its second phase, titled "Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems through Innovation Networks," running from January 1, 2024, through the end of 2026, with a potential extension to 2027. This phase, in partnership with Thailand’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), targets the development of three key pillars of sustainability:
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Climate-Smart Agriculture
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Increasing Value of Agricultural Products
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Sustainable Agricultural Technology
The second phase focuses on four crops in five areas (durian, mango, oil palm, maize upland and lowland) cultivated across various provinces, with targeted initiatives tailored to address sustainability challenges in these regions. In December, 2024, turmeric was added to be another official target crop for this phase.
Phase 1 (2020–2023)
Launched in 2020, the project’s first phase, titled "Promoting Sustainable Development of Cluster Farms in Thailand," focused on advancing a new approach for agricultural extension services in Thailand. Collaborating with pilot cluster farms across eight provinces, this phase successfully tested innovative methods to promote sustainable practices and concluded on December 31, 2023. Learn more about Phase 1 achievements at Home | Sustainable Clusterfarms Thailand
Official Factsheet
Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture
Project Concept
Climate
Smart
Agriculture
Pillar I: Climate Smart Agriculture
This pillar aims to minimize the carbon footprint by the reduction of burning of crop residues and enhancing the utilization of those residues. It is designed to align with Thailand's DOAE policy for "Going Green Agriculture," promoting sustainable and environmental-friendly farming practices to lower GHG emissions and potentially enable carbon credit trading in the future.
Increase Value
of Agricultural
Products
Pillar II: Increase Value of Agricultural Products
The goal of this is to foster the development of high-value, sustainable agricultural production. It supports another DOAE initiative, "High Value-added Products," which aims to triple income over four years, targeting 144 designated groups in 2024—84 focused on crops, 37 on livestock, and 23 on fisheries.
Sustainable
Agricultural
Technology
Pillar III: Sustainable Agricultural Technology
This pillar seeks to prepare Thailand's agricultural sector for the future by introducing and showcasing modern farm management technologies. With a wealth of agricultural machinery, technology, and digital solutions available, we are committed to collaborating with our Innovation Networks Partnership to identify sustainable and appropriate machinery or methods for our farmers.
The Team
Karsten Ziebell
Team Leader
Arusa Vongtanetra
Agricultural Specialist
Long-term Expert
Sarah Talea Kretschmer
Innovation & Network Specialist
Long-term Expert
Kunyawee Yeamthai
Project Assistant
Our Initiators & Collaborators
