About | Gethac

GETHAC Project aims to support Thai farmers for sustainable agricultural production systems and establish innovation network partners for Thailand's agriculture

The German-Thai Agricultural Cooperation (GETHAC) project is a bilateral initiative established under the Joint Declaration of Intent between Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), signed on August 26, 2020.

Phase 1 (2020–2023)
Launched in 2020, the project’s first phase, titled "Promoting Sustainable Development of Cluster Farms in Thailand," focused on advancing a new approach for agricultural extension services in Thailand. Collaborating with pilot cluster farms across eight provinces, this phase successfully tested innovative methods to promote sustainable practices and concluded on December 31, 2023. Learn more about Phase 1 achievements at Home | Sustainable Clusterfarms Thailand

Phase 2 (2024–2026)
Currently, the project is in its second phase, titled "Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems through Innovation Networks," running from January 1, 2024, through the end of 2026, with a potential extension to 2027. This phase, in partnership with Thailand’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), targets the development of three key pillars of sustainability:

Climate-Smart Agriculture
Increasing Value of Agricultural Products
Sustainable Agricultural Technology

The second phase focuses on five primary crops cultivated across various provinces, with targeted initiatives tailored to address sustainability challenges in these regions.

Official Factsheet

Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture

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Project Concept

Pillar I: Climate Smart Agriculture
This pillar aims to minimize the carbon footprint by the reduction of burning of crop residues and enhancing the utilization of those residues. It is designed to align with Thailand's DOAE policy for "Go Green Agriculture," promoting sustainable and environmental-friendly farming practices to lower GHG emissions and potentially enable carbon credit trading in the future.

Climate Smart

Agriculture

Increase Value

of agricultural

products

Sustainable

Agricultural

Technology

Pillar II: Increase Value of Agricultural Products
The goal of this is to foster the development of high-value, sustainable agricultural production. It supports another DOAE initiative, "High Value-added Products," which aims to triple income over four years, targeting 144 designated groups in 2024—84 focused on crops, 37 on livestock, and 23 on fisheries.

Pillar III: Sustainable Agricultural Machinery
This pillar seeks to prepare Thailand's agricultural sector for the future by introducing and showcasing modern farm management technologies. With a wealth of agricultural machinery, technology, and digital solutions available, we are committed to collaborating with our Innovation Networks Partnership to identify sustainable and appropriate machinery or methods for our farmers.

DURIAN

Lang-Suan District, Chumphon province

Our durian cluster farm group is dedicated to pursuing carbon credit trading for durian trees and improving processed durian products, while we seek the appropriate technology or practices to provide effective solutions for our farmers.

MANGO

Phrao District, Chiang Mai province

Our mango cluster farmer group is eager to explore new opportunities for mango-based products and participate in carbon credit trading. Through our innovation network partnership, we provide the tools and support needed to address the unique challenges faced by our farmers, empowering them to grow sustainably and profitably.

OIL PALM

Kuan-Khanun District, Phatthalung province

Each year, unused palm fronds present an opportunity for sustainable innovation. The group has developed ideas to repurpose these crop residues, with a focus on finding practical and environmentally friendly uses for palm fronds.

MAIZE UPLAND

Na-Noi District, Nan province

Some maize farms in the northern highlands are now transitioning to higher-value crops. This group, spanning four sub-districts in Na-Noi, is gradually shifting from maize to coffee cultivation. The goal is to boost income while also reducing environmental impact, specifically by decreasing maize-burning practices.

MAIZE LOWLAND

Kaeng-Khoi District, Saraburi province

This cluster farming group aims to boost maize yields by addressing challenges across the entire cultivation cycle—from breaking soil compaction and preparing land to optimizing irrigation and expanding options for maize-based products.

The Team