The Government Policy on the Organic Rice Farming Groups Embracing Sustainable Agricultural Production: Evidence in Thailand

Abstract

Implementing an organic farming policy at the national level significantly drives and fosters sustainable agricultural production. However, it also creates crucial problems in promoting and sustaining organic rice farming groups at the provincial level. The mentioned case studies of certified organic rice groups indicate great potential, which can be enriched from organic rice farming by embracing environmentally friendly production. They produce high-quality organic rice, which can be certified to international standards. This article aims to illustrate the government policy and how it can be compatible with provincial policy and strategies relating to organic rice farming groups. The government policies related to a large-scale farming model are one million rai (160,000 hectares) of organic rice production. However, there is a discontinuity in the policy, which affects the strengthening and potential of the rice groups as the organic rice farming model of the country.