International Exposure Visit Programme in Thailand
For
Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL) of Nepal
Areas of focus: Best rural/agricultural finance practices, and SMEs operations/financing
Bangkok and the Provinces of Phetchburi and Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand
26 August – 3 September 2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Programme participation and hosting
Ten Agricultural Development Bank, Limited (ADBL), of Nepal officers (see list in Annex 1) participated in an exclusive ADBL-customized exposure visit programme in Bangkok and the provinces of Petchburi and Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand on 26 August – 3 September 2017. The programme was arranged by the Center for Entrepreneurship and New Generation Farming (CENGEF), now renamed Development Center for Entrepreneurs and New Generation Farmers Association (D-CENGEF).
2. Programme objectives
This International Exposure Visit Programme in Thailand was a customized special programme for the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL) of Nepal to meet its needs and requirements to further strengthen its capacities in providing financial and finance-related service to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to urban and rural households, particularly small farmers and farmers’ organizations. The exposure visit was intended to augment ADBL participants’ knowledge and skills in financing rural and agricultural households as well as urban households, and financing SMEs.
3. Programme contents
Discussions and dialogue
- i) BAAC’s major financial policies, innovative lending and savings operations, rules and regulations, and procedures in support of farmers – individual and joint liability groups, cooperatives, agricultural marketing cooperatives and new generation farmers; ii) Linkages, processes and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain with special focus on SMEs and on the enterprises based on rice, livestock, vegetables and fruits; and iii) Major agricultural policies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives by Mr. Jirasak Malangphuthong, Senior Vice President, Personal Loan Department, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.
- ii) Climate setting session and ii) Overview of the exposure visit programme by Ms. Warinthra Purinthrapiban, CENGEF Director, NGFNET.
- iii) Introduction to the NGFNET/CENGEF by Mr. Thaninchote Lertnithitheeraporn. NGFNET President.
Visit to farms, marketing outreach, SMEs and dialogue with farmers and producers as well as companies, organizations and other stakeholders.
- Field briefing/Focus on Flower and Orchid and Integrated Farming System. This exposure visit highlighted agricultural farming, vegetable gardening, fruit orchards and orchid growing. Participants have seen and observed the export quality orchid, products of Thailand and the important lotus garden where the main dealer of lotus product of Thailand. MahaSawat Canal, the historic canal at King Rama IV was excavated in 1860 to serve as a route to worship Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom province. This canal is the lifeblood of the community for over a hundred years. The way of life of the people in the canal community includes agricultural farming, vegetable gardening, fruit orchards and orchid growing.
- Field briefing/Focus on Commercial Daily farm. The Thai-Danish Prachuab Kirikhan Dairy Cooperative Limited and the factory of Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) were highlighted. The briefings were conducted by Ms. Jungrak Tabroad, Manager of Thai-Danish Prachuab Kirikhan Dairy Cooperative Limited. The Thai-Danish Prachuab Kirikhan Dairy Cooperative Limited was registered on December 9th, 1981.Dairy cattle raising was promoted in the Tha-yang district and Cha-am district in Petchburi Province and HuaHin district, Sam Roi Yod district, and KuiBuri district in Prachuab Kirikhan Province. By 2010, Thai-Danish Prachuab Kirikhan Dairy Cooperative Limited had expanded its business by improving the standards of its warehouse and collecting raw milk. The capacity of collecting is 5 tonnes per day from 65 dairy farm. At present, the Thai-Danish Prachuab Kirikhan Dairy Cooperative Limited has 100 members.
- Visit to the agriculture- based SMEs, focusing on Organic Poultry Farming and Vegetable. The demand of poultry in industry in Thailand has improved due to the increase in the price of beef and pork. This demand resulted in a high market growth rate for Thailand, due to the country’s ability to expand markets in the EU and East Asia. Moreover, the health’s trend is also popular around Thailand. The organic poultry farm is nowincreasing number of farm for serving the demand of healthy products. The organic- farm was owned by Miss. Wannaporn Sinlapasorn, NGFNET’s member, 27 years-old who quit from private company to continue agriculture from her parents. She began to manage a 2-rai organic farm. The participants observed her successful management in organic breeder chicken.
- Visit to the agriculture- based SMEs, focusing on herbs and spices. Don-Khun-Huay Women's Royal Intention Project was established in 1993 from the group of housewives from unemployed village for making of artificial flowers. In this visitation, all participants from Nepal have learnt the herbal processing to capsule packing that make the herbal taking is much easier than its usual and capable to export their products to many country around the world.
- Visit to the Aor-Tor-Kor agricultural market
Aor-Tor-Kor is ranked as the 4th best fresh market in the world by a famous travel guide. It showcases best fruits, vegetables from the entire country. It also sells meals, snacks and Thai sweets. Other highlights include ready-cut and custom-cut meats, seafood, fresh mackerel, dried meats and the various condiments used in Thai cooking. Adjacent to the market, the Doi Khum shop features organic vegetables, spa products and other dry grocery items from the Royal Project.
- Visit to the SMEs Centre Market and Chatuchak market
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak seems to sell everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. There are vendors on weekday mornings, and a daily vegetable, plant and flower market opposite the market’s southern side. It is in full operation on weekends. It also showcases antiques, handicrafts & souvenirs, house wares & décor, and potted plants and garden accessories.
- Special cultural and historical showcase
Over 2 centuries of being a prosperous capital city, Rattanakosin Island is a proof of stable foundation established by the wisdom of King Rama I, the founder, starting from the strategic city planning in the similar ways as Ayutthaya era. Apart from material construction of the city, the King also raised the morale of the people as well as restored Buddhism, arts and culture so that Siam regained its unity and stability once again.
4. Programme management and facilitation
- The exposure visit programme was under the general management of Mr. Thanit Suthasuwan, D-CENGEF President and facilitated by Ms. Warinthra Purinthrapiban, D-CENGEF Secretary, and Mr. Kittisak Mommoh, D-CENGEF Secretary.
- Participants were provided with a folder containing relevant learning, briefing and informational materials and a set of pictures of the visit.
- A closing assessment indicated a very high regard of the participants on the programme contents, methodology, discussions with stakeholders and the actual exposure visits to farms, SMEs and markets. The topics covered were very relevant, informative and useful. The participants suggested longer exposure visit period to be able to absorb more knowledge and skills. Overall, the exposure visit provided a glimpse of the economic and agricultural development of Thailand, showcased the country’s magnificent agricultural and marketing systems and structures, and exhibited the country’s rich cultural and social landscape.