A new variety of rice is now helping smallholder farmers in North Thailand out of poverty, while also improving their diet. Siam Organic Co., Ltd., which introduced Jasberry rice, a non-GMO, organic rice variety in the region, adopted an inclusive business model to help farmers increase harvest yields and earn more.
Organic farmers in Thailand want to meet demand for safe food from the growing middle class across the Greater Mekong Subregion. Photo: ADB.
Safe, organic food is becoming popular across the Greater Mekong Subregion. A pilot program in Thailand is helping farmers meet the growing demand and leave chemicals behind.
The GMS Pavilion will showcase about 200 safe and environment-friendly food products by 35 small and medium-sized food companies in the subregion. Photo: ADB.
BANGKOK, THAILAND (31 May 2017) — The Asian Development Bank and the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture today opened a series of events on the theme "Discover GMS: Asia's Natural Hub" during the Thaifex World of Food 2017 at Bangkok's Impact Exhibition Center from 31 May to 4 June.
A long stretch of road linking several provinces of Myanmar, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand and Viet Nam is home to many impoverished farmers. But things are slowly changing. Thanks to an improved road system, farmers now have an opportunity to distribute their agricultural products over long distances, reaching large, rich markets across the region. Farmers are also adding value to agricultural
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226
