Thailand is expanding its development partnership with Africa through a new push on sustainable agriculture, highlighted by a recent high-level delegation visit to Côte d’Ivoire aimed at advancing technology transfers, research collaboration, and farmer training.
A Thai delegation led by Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), traveled to Côte d’Ivoire from February 24th to 27th to explore practical cooperation in agricultural development and food security.
The delegation included TICA officials, representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy in Dakar, and agricultural experts from Kasetsart University. The mission focused on launching a pilot initiative that could see Thailand’s sustainable farming techniques demonstrated through an integrated agricultural plot in Côte d’Ivoire.
The proposed project draws on Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), which emphasizes resilience, sustainability, and balanced growth and aims to adapt these principles to African farming systems.
Thailand shares agricultural expertise in pilot project
During meetings with Ivorian authorities, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, Thai officials discussed a range of potential initiatives designed to support smallholder farmers. The consultations were co-chaired by Evariste Koffi Yapi, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire.
Key proposals included the establishment of a demonstration farm based on integrated agriculture, the introduction of Thai-designed small-scale machinery suited to smaller farms, and training programs for agricultural practitioners.
Thai experts also highlighted the country’s experience in rice cultivation and climate-resilient farming technologies — areas where Thailand has developed expertise through decades of agricultural modernization.
Collaboration with Africa’s leading rice research center
As part of the visit, the delegation held talks with executives and researchers at the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) in Abidjan, one of the continent’s leading agricultural research institutions.
Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in rice R&D, including technology transfer and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The two sides also explored the possibility of establishing a learning center that would demonstrate sustainable farming approaches combining Thai development experience with African agricultural systems.
The delegation later visited AfricaRice’s research station in M’bé to gain insight into ongoing rice breeding and productivity programs.
Expanding Thai cooperation across the continent
Thailand’s outreach is not limited to West Africa. In Mozambique, Thai agricultural experts recently met with officials from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries to strengthen cooperation in mechanization, seed development, and agricultural training.
During discussions in Maputo, Thai researchers presented rice varieties developed in Thailand that can withstand flooding, salinity, drought, and pests, which are conditions common in many African agricultural regions. According to the delegation’s experts, these varieties could potentially deliver yields of around five tonnes per hectare and — depending on local conditions — support multiple production cycles per year.
The visit also built upon earlier cooperation between the two nations, including Thai technical assistance for rice cultivation projects in Mozambique’s Zambézia Province.
The broader Thailand–Africa strategy
The mission forms part of Thailand’s wider engagement with the continent under the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) and the Thailand–Africa Development Forum (TADF). These foreign policy frameworks are designed to expand partnerships in agriculture, technology transfer, and human resource development.
Through these initiatives, Thailand aims to share development experiences with fellow developing countries while promoting food security and sustainable economic growth.
The recent trips reflect a growing partnership between Thailand and African nations, signaling Bangkok’s ambition to play a larger role in South–South cooperation focused on practical development solutions.
