“Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative launched in Thailand to support 50,000 smallholder farmers affected by COVID-19

August 21, 2020

News Release

“Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative launched in Thailand to support 50,000 smallholder farmers affected by COVID-19

Bayer Thai Co., Ltd collaborates with Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Rice Department, Cooperative Cyber Brain Foundation, Kasetsart University, and Charoen Pokphand Produce Co., Ltd.
20 million bath worth of starter kits; personal protective equipment, crop protection products and a related training to be distributed to smallholder farmers

Pathumthani, Thailand – August 20, 2020 – Bayer Thai Co, Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Rice Department, Cooperative Cyber Brain Foundation, Kasetsart University, and Charoen Pokphand Produce Co., Ltd launched the “Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative to assist smallholder farmers in Thailand who are facing additional challenges resulting from COVID-19 pandemic.

At the ceremonial launch of the Better Farms, Better Lives initiative, Mr. Naraphat Kaewthong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, presides over the launch event and receives the 50,000 starter kits from Mr. Zhou Fan, Interim Managing Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd.

The starter kits, consist of Bayer crop protection products and personal protective equipment, including the safe use training programs are valued at 20 million baht.

The event was also joined by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Anan Phusittikul, Chairman of the Cooperative Cyber Brain Foundation, Mr. Chaowalit Tangariyakul, Vice President of Charoen Pokphand Produce Co., Ltd, Asst.Prof.Dr. Nikhom Laemsak, Vice President for Innovation and Social Engagement, Kasetsart University, Mr. Jan Scheer, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and leaders of farmer groups at the Rice Research Center in Pathumthani province.

Mr. Thatsana Larbruay, Advisor to Director-General of the Rice Department, said that “Rice is the major economic crop of Thailand. The Rice department has an important mission to promote and give knowledge to farmers to increase the potential for quality and safety rice production with an emphasis on building a network of safe rice farmers across the country to create awareness in the community about rice production and the efficiency and environmentally friendly use of agricultural inputs under the implementation of “Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative.

Moreover, the department has supported farmers to learn technology and innovations in growing rice efficiently and safely, as well as production, processing, and product market management systems by focusing on generating income based on sufficiency principle, to feed family and have surplus for sale."

Mr. Weraphon Charoenpanit, Commercial Lead Thailand and Vietnam, Crop Science Division, Bayer Thai Co., Ltd said that Bayer is steadfast on its commitment to helping more than 100 million smallholder farmers in developing countries around the world including Thailand by the year 2030. “Through the Better Farms, Better Lives initiative, our goal is to help uplift the overall status of our smallholder farmers who play an important role in addressing the challenges of food security as the world's population continue to increase.

Aside from the distribution of the starter kit, Bayer is working with various partners to produce manual on the safe use of crop protection products and organizing training programs related to the correct and safe use of pesticides and sustainable agriculture.

Mr. Chaowalit Tangariyakul, Vice President of Charoen Pokphand Produce Co., Ltd. as a business partner for Bayer, said that farmers in Thailand were not only affected by the COVID-19 outbreak but also impacted by the recent drought. Better Farms, Better Lives initiative will help farmers reduce production costs during the coming growing season. Charoen Pokphand Produce will aid and support farmers in linking to the market as to assist in the marketing of the rice productions and to support farmers' income to cope with this difficult period together."