September 04, 2025

Elevating Thai Sustainable Rice Globally: ACFS and SRP Partnership

Bangkok, 2 September 2025 – The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) and the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sustainable rice collaboration at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok. The signing ceremony was attended by more than 80 representatives from government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and farmer groups.

This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in strengthening Thailand’s capacity to lead in sustainable rice production, ensuring competitiveness in global markets while aligning with international sustainability standards. The MoU lays the foundation for integrating Thailand’s national standard for sustainable rice (TAS 4408-2022) with the globally recognized SRP Standard, ensuring credibility and acceptance both domestically and internationally.

Key areas of collaboration include:

• Capacity Building – Joint development of training programs to empower farmers, enterprises, and certification bodies, enabling the adoption and verification of sustainable practices under the SRP-TAS system.

• Market Development and Promotion – Cooperative initiatives to enhance recognition of the “Thai Sustainable Rice” brand globally, strengthening Thailand’s positioning as a leader in sustainable rice trade.

Mr. Chaiwat Yothakol, Secretary-General of ACFS, expressed pride in the progress Thailand has made:

“ACFS has developed the Thai Agricultural Standard on Sustainable Rice (TAS 4408-2022), which is internationally recognized as fully aligned with the SRP Standard. This cooperation allows Thailand to issue dual recognition labels—both national and SRP certifications—strengthening trust among global buyers.”

Mr. Jens Soth, Executive Director of SRP, highlighted the broader impact:

“This MoU is not only about standards but also about investing in people. Together, we will co-create world-class knowledge and training programs to empower Thai farmers, enabling them to reduce production costs, improve water efficiency, and secure sustainable livelihoods. Thai rice is globally admired for its quality and uniqueness, and today we take a bold step to position it as a global leader in sustainability.”

The MoU also supports ACFS’s ongoing pilot projects, including farmer groups in Kamphaeng Phet province and community enterprises in Ubon Ratchathani, covering more than 5,000 rai. These initiatives showcase how the TAS 4408-2022 standard can be applied on the ground, creating practical models for broader adoption nationwide.

Mr. Woothipong Neamhom, Inspector General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, emphasized policy alignment:

“This cooperation reflects the Ministry’s priorities to promote high-value agricultural products that meet market demand, protect the environment, and strengthen climate resilience. It also contributes directly to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by lowering production costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving water resource management.”

This MoU represents a turning point for Thailand’s rice sector. By integrating national and international standards, Thailand not only reaffirms its role as a global rice exporter but also positions itself as a pioneer in sustainable rice production—delivering economic, social, and environmental value for farmers, consumers, and markets worldwide.