Bayer Thai partners with PPAT to promote smallholder farmers’ health

GROWTH project complements UN Sustainable Development Goals

Growth

Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother (PPAT) launched “the GROWTH or Grow Together Healthier project” to support improved access to information and education on the reproductive health and self-care for 2,500 smallholder farmers in 10 provinces in Thailand.

 

The GROWTH or Grow Together Healthier project took place from August 2022 to December 2022 in the form of educational trainings related to reproductive health, family planning and self-care by experts as well as offering an online consultation platform for participated smallholder farmers in this program.

 

JinA Lee

 

Ms. JinA Lee, Managing Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd, said that “the commitment to science, society and the common good has a long tradition at Bayer. This year, Bayer marked its 60th anniversary in Thailand, we initiated the GROWTH project with a desired outcome to support and improve health and quality of life in communities and contributed to solving social challenges. This project is part of our efforts to achieve Bayer’s mission of Health for all, Hunger for none”.

 

Bayer Thai has partnered with non-profit organization PPAT who is a pioneer in reproductive health family planning in Thailand to push forward the implementation of GROWTH project to increase access of reproductive health, family planning and self-care knowledge to smallholder farmer to tackle the root-cause of issues with potential to make a lasting impact for change to their health and well-being.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr.Luedech Gridwichai, President of Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT),  said that education and knowledge are the key to address root-cause of the issues. PPAT’s mission is to increase access to reproductive health and family planning information to targeted population to be able to take care of their reproductive health, make informed decisions to prevent unplanned pregnancy and to receive reproductive health services.

 

“Our partnership in this project will support increase access to reproductive health, family planning and self-care information in order to equip them with the correct information to smallholders farmers to make an informed choice to improve their quality of life,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr.Luedech.

 

In Thailand, agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in Thailand. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in 2020 showed that out of the number of farmers in Thailand of 8.09 million households, 70 percent faced the problem of lacking proper knowledge regarding reproductive health, especially family planning and how to maintain good health, resulting from lack of access to resources and medical services. This is because the farmers' free time was inconsistent with the working hours of medical facilities in their areas. In addition, the household economy of Thai farmers is relatively low and most of the farmers focus on earning money rather than their own health, which directly affects their quality of life.

Under this project, on-ground educational-based training sessions will be organized with renowned Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manopchai Thamkhantho and Professor Emerita Dr. Surasak Taneepanichskul as a speaker in 13 areas in 10 provinces in central, north and northeastern regions.

 

Participants will receive the important information so they can decide when it is the right time to have children, empower women to make informed choices and plan for the future of a family, and how to basically take better care of themselves to maintain the good health. PPAT has also set up an online consultation platform for participated smallholder farmers to seek advice from experts in reproductive health and family planning. The information benefit not only participants but will be transferred to families and friends. Communities will benefit from better health of people which will consequently improve their quality of life.

 

Ms. JinA said “At Bayer, sustainability is a core element of Bayer’s corporate strategy. We are increasingly focusing our activities on providing more people access to healthcare and nutrition. We have made contributions through our collaboration with non-profit organization partners to provide solutions to drive positive societal change through our corporate societal engagement and our sustainability-oriented activities.  With the GROWTH or Growing Together Healthier project, we are now advancing our commitment to make a difference in the lives of the farmers in Thailand, which also contribute significantly towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

About Bayer

 

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

 

Contact: 
Naranart Phuangkanok 
Head of Communications 
Tel: +662 2327027 
E-mail: naranart.phuangkanok@bayer.com