Need conclusion and recommendations for HOSP 730 Food,Culture and contemporary issues

Thailand is one of the most famous countries in the entire world for its cuisine. Spanning from the southern peninsula to the Northern provinces, the country offers a diverse blend of insanely delicious food. From flash cooked stir fries to hand pounded salads, there are variety and quantity of food in Thailand. The south of Thailand is well known for its spicy curries, heavy use of coconut milk, and fresh seafood. The north and northeastern part is famous for its veggie filled salads and herbs, grilled meat, sausages, and sticky rice. Bangkok, the largest city, attracts Thais from around the country to create a never ending melting pot of tempting things to taste.

Geographical background of Thailand
Area	Total: 513,120 square kilometers Land: 510,890 square kilometers Later: 2,230 square kilometers
Climate	Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid.
Natural resources	Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land.
Population distribution	Highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters found throughout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country.

In Thai eating culture, rice is the main component to be consumed with other supplement. Its menu is composed of diverse methods on cooking like boiling, soup, frying, spicy salad and the chili paste with the combination of tastes like sour, salty, sweet and spicy that is rarely found in other national cousins.

People are more attracted towards Thailand because of the temples and beautiful beaches and special attraction is their rich culture and way of life. Mainly people live in Thailand are Buddhists so they have different beliefs and culture, their culture teaches them to be very friendly with everyone which tourists like the most. It also has a cons for example, because of huge amount of people visited Thailand, local people start supplying drugs to them so that they can earn more income illegally. But it leads to increase in crime rate. Because of high demand of tourists, foreign companies run the local companies places which results in less earnings of local people.

There is no doubt that the culture of the country promotes the destination. Like in Thailand as well, their culture promote it to tourists. It helps to make distinctive from other country. It helps to adapt the changes of each other’s country like, language, way of dressing, eating habits.

The culture in Thailand is way different from western culture. It is hard for everyone to adopt theirs and more hard for the people of Thailand to adopt ours. They don’t say good afternoon, good morning and good evening, they say WAI that is the way they used to greet people.

https://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/cuisines/asian_food/introduction_to_thai_food.html

http://davidsbeenhere.com/2012/11/23/an-introduction-to-thai-food/

https://www.indexmundi.com/thailand/geography_profile.html

1.2 The Economy of Thailand

Thailand has a profoundly export dependent economy and the industrial and service sectors are the biggest contributors to its economy. It ranks 22nd largest export economy in the world. It has been ranked as an upper-middle income economy since 2011 and has exhibited sustained economic and social progress over the years. Its economy particularly experienced enormous growth between 1986 and 2005 when effective policies were adopted such as diversification and industrialization coupled with contribution from a strong private sector. During this period, poverty levels substantially declined in the country. The Thai baht is Thailand’s currency, used by some of its neighbors including Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Main Industries of Thailand

The Automobiles and automotive parts industry are the dominated industrial sector here. The rest of the industries include financial services, garments and textiles, electronics, tourism, plastics, computers and accessories, cement, plastics, and furniture. The agricultural sector is dominated by produce such as rice, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, and rubber. Beverages and tobacco also contribute immensely to the economy.

Primary Exports and Export Partners of Thailand

Thailand’s exports were valued at $236.69 billion in 2017. These exports included rice, garments and textiles, computers, integrated circuits, footwear, automobiles, refined petroleum, rubber, and fishery products. The United States imports 11.2% of Thailand’s exports followed by China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Australia.

1.3 Demographic Profile

Demographic background of Thailand
Total Population	6.88 millions
Male population	49.1%
Female population	50.9%
Birth rate	11 births/1,000 population
Languages	Thai (official) 90.7%, Burmese 1.3%, other 8%
Religions	Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, other less than 1%

There is a diverse range of ethnic groups within the country but for the purposes of the overall Thailand population, only really been separated into three main groups: 75% are Ethnic Thai, 14% are Thai Chinese, and 3% are ethnically Malay. The remainder of the population falls into small minority groups including hill tribes, Khmers and Mons. The official language of Thailand is Thai. The country is the 51st largest country on earth in terms of total area, 21st in terms of population, and 88th in terms of population density.

1.4 Social

Different people from different countries are found here. Afterall, Thailand is known as a tourist hub. Hence, different culture get together to make this place happening. Along with the people from different culture gathering here has formed a lot of changes in social environment of Thailand. For example, many locals sell drugs to tourists as a way of earning money. The World Bank Office of Thailand recognises that, drug pushing creates problems such as anti-social behaviour, increased crime and reduced safety. This has an effect on tourist numbers as many will not travel to countries which are deemed unsafe. Further, as tourism grows in Thailand many businesses have moved from being run locally to being owned by national or international companies which creates leakages in the Thai government with less spending money going back into the Thai economy. Moreover, Thailand has seen an increase in dramatic faithfulness for the tourists. The local traditions have become a product for the tourist, which is slowly destroying the original culture in Thailand. On the other hand, negative impact has created a long term effect on the local community by being exposed to different cultures and wealth. This changes locals’ behaviour and needs like encourage the Thai people to dress differently or abandon their religion.

1.5 Ethical and cultural trends relating to food

In Thailand, food forms a central part of any social occasions, which means food often becomes the reason to celebrate. This is partly due to the friendly, social nature of Thai people, and the way in which food is ordered and eaten in Thailand.

Presenting and serving the Thai meal is different from that of other normal restaurant. Generally, the food in the restaurant starts with starter followed by the main course and lastly served with the dessert. In Thailand, there is no such thing as starter. Moreover, the dish does not belong to single person. A general rule is followed of ordering the same number of dishes as people present. All the dishes are shared and enjoyed together. Peoples in Thai believe that eating alone is bad luck. There is also a belief that throwing food away enrages the Thai “god of rice”, a female deity who watches over the people, ensuring everyone has enough to eat. Bad luck or even widespread famine may then develop.

Most of the Thai dishes are considered unsatisfying till they combine all the four main seasonings: salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. A group of Thai diners, while eating out, would generally order a variety of meat and/or fish dishes, plus vegetables, a noodle dish, and possibly soup. Dessert may consist simply of fresh fruit, such as pineapple, or something more exotic, such as colorful rice cakes, depending on the region.

Thais are also very renowned for the snacks. It is easy to pick up a quick but delicious snack for mere pennies along the roadside or at marketplaces in Thailand. Popular snacks consist of spring rolls, chicken or beef, raw vegetables with a spicy dip, soups, salads, and sweets.

The formal presentation of food is another important aspect of Thai culture. This trend of presentation was earlier developed in the palace to please the King of Siam, and it is among the most exquisite in the world. Serving platters are decorated with all variety of carved vegetables and fruits into flowers and other pieces of beauty. This includes elegantly carved vegetables within the dish itself. For such artwork, Thai chefs use a simple paring knife and ice water (the ice water prevents discoloration of the vegetables as they cut them).

Historical Background & Type of Dishes

Just as all the other countries, Thailand too has a history of its taste that has made Thai food popular today. In early thirteenth century, the Thai people developed a cuisine that is known as Siamese cuisine today. In this, various types of meat and seafood combined with local vegetables, herbs, and spices such as garlic and pepper, and served with rice. Later, the Chinese culture brought noodles to Thailand.

Indian spices and flavors have also influenced the Thai cuisine, which can be seen in its famous green, red, and yellow curries. It would be nearly impossible to confuse an Indian curry with one from Thailand. Although Thai curry incorporates many Indian spices in its pastes, it still manages to maintain its own unique flavor with the addition of local spices and ingredients, such as Thai holy basil, lemongrass, and Thai ginger which is called galangal.

Thai cooking has also influenced other countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia. Such plentiful and vast influences combine to create the complex taste of present-day. Hence, Thai cooking is considered as one of the fastest growing and most popular of world cuisines today.

Thai Cutlery & Eating Style

Although the Chinese brought chopsticks to Thailand long ago, most Thais prefer to use Western cutlery, though in their own special way. Thai cutlery generally consists of a fork and large spoon. The spoon is held in the right hand and used in place of a knife.

When eating, Thais do not combine various foods on their plates, but rather, they sample one dish at a time, always eaten with a mound of Thai fragrant rice on the side. Bowls are used mainly for soup, not in place of a plate.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/thai-food-and-culture-3217393

1.6 Sustainability Efforts

Thailand has its own development framework that is being used to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It relies on wisdom and integrity, as well as the principles of moderation, fairness and carefulness. The focus of the is to achieve sustainability and it has been adopted as the core principle of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Plan since 2002.

No poverty: End poverty in all its form from everywhere.

No hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Good wealth and well being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life long learning opportunities for all.

Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Affordable and clean energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Good jobs and economic growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Industry, innovation and infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements, inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Responsible consumption and production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Reduce inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Climate action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact.

Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Life on land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forest, combat desertification, and halt and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Peace, justice, and strong institution: promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justices for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Partnership for the goals: strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/sustainable-development-goals/why-do-sustainable-development-goals-matter/goal-1-no

1.7 Potential political and legislative intervention

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is executing economic policies adopted by the Thai Cabinet to reduce poverty through agriculture and food security. Key policies include the following:

· Campaign to promote rural savings through agricultural cooperatives, with the objective of increasing the potential for farmer groups to help themselves, such as simple processing and alternative occupations at the household level. Community banks will be supported and farmers will participate in administering funds deposited, by formulating policies for utilization and recovery.

· Use chemical fertilizers and agricultural chemicals more efficiently through application with organic and biological fertilizers, in order to improve soils and to increase yields. Natural methods of controlling crop pests will be employed in an effort to reduce imports of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals. Efforts will be made to improve soils and community environment over the long-term.

· Utilize refuse and wastes from agriculture, by encouraging private sector production of organic fertilizer and bio-fertilizers, and other products used in the agriculture sector. This approach will reduce farmers’ expenditures on imported fertilizers.

· Identify land and extend land tenure rights, to solve the problem of availability of land for subsistence.

· Provide assistance to farmers who are impacted by natural disasters in the form of food, inputs important to their occupations, and consumer goods.

· Ensure food security for the country to prevent impacts from natural disasters, by accelerating production of agricultural products in areas with production potential as well as in areas that are adequately served with water resources; particularly in areas that have sources of natural surface water, irrigation system infrastructure, underground water supplies, and irrigated areas serviced by electric pumps.

· Undertake occupational and livelihood rehabilitation following natural disasters, by providing assistance in the form of production inputs, including plant material and breeding animals, to support agricultural production activities.

A national policy review of food security issues was undertaken as part of the agriculture sector policy. The Thai Government adopted a policy for preparing for global climate change. An important element of this policy is that the Government committed itself to ensuring food security for the country to prevent impacts from natural disaster, by accelerating production of agricultural products in areas with high production potential as well as in areas that are adequately served with water resources; particularly in area that have sources of natural surface water, irrigation system infrastructure, underground water supplies, and irrigated areas serviced by pumps.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is implementing an agriculture sector reform policy that requires a paradigm shift that will result in the implementation of measures that will lead to increases in equitable access to production-support services by the rural poor including:

· Improved access to information, through the strengthening of the Agriculture and Resource System Information Network and the mass communications abilities of the Ministry, to ensure that agricultural development plans are adequately articulated at the sub-district level.

· Opportunities for farmer education in awareness and confidence building, resource management, and enterprise development.

· Specialized training in problem solving.

· Innovative types of community mobilization and institution building at the grassroots level that would release the spirit and creative potential of people.

· Improved access to institutional credit.

· Improved access to technology through creation of an Institute for Adaptive Research and Pilot Trials and an Institute for the Advancement of Traditional Knowledge.

· Organization of production, transport, and marketing groups at the community level.

Recent agricultural policies

The major change in government agricultural policy occurred in 1986 when the pro-consumer policy was replaced by the pro-producer policy. The export taxes and export restriction which penalized the farmers were eliminated, resulting in a more or less neutral nominal rate of protection for most exportable crops, except a few import competing crops such as oil palm and soybean (Poapongsakorn, 2009; Warr and Archanun, 2007). Since then the succeeding administrations have increased the agricultural subsidy through the agricultural price support program with the aim to improve farmers’ income.

Agricultural credit policy

The agricultural credit market in Thailand had been previously dominated by informal lenders, particularly land owners, middlemen, and millers. A drastic change in the agricultural credit market occurred in 1975 when the Bank of Thailand instructed all commercial banks to allocate 5% of all commercial loans for agriculture at an interest rate lower than the market. As a result, the supply of agricultural credit expanded in huge. The BAAC’s loans to individual farmers increased more than 17 times from 0.43 billion US$ to 7.48 billion US$.

The credit policy has significantly impacted on the farmers ‘adoption of modern technologies as well as crop diversification, particularly in irrigated areas of Central Plain. Because farmers in irrigated areas have a better cash flow and less production risk, a large proportion of credit goes to commercial farmers. Even though, group liability guarantee could help small-farmers to access formal credit, the amount of loan they could obtain is very small; the loan program is also limited to certain locations and does not cover the whole country. Thus, small-farmers continue to find it more difficult to improve their household food supply, particularly when food prices increase.

Agricultural input policy

In Thailand, the agricultural input markets are mostly free from government intervention. Public policies on chemical fertilizer mainly involved the distribution of fertilizer to the farmers at the market price or at reduced costs. The loan was financed by the Farmers’ Aid Fund. The government had previously used the Market Organization for Farmers and agricultural cooperatives as a network to distribute the fertilizer at a subsidized transportation costs. Due to the limited capitalization of the Fund, only a small number of farmers could access this program and most of them were in irrigated environment. The scheme has been abolished for a decade. It was criticized that the program had no impacted on the small-farmers in remote areas since they were not eligible for the assistance. As a consequence of rising fertilizer price and production cost, it was inevitable that the food production of small farmers were affected most.

http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/thai/natur.htm

ftp://ftp.repec.org/opt/ReDIF/RePEc/kau/wpaper/are200901.pdf

1.8 Labour markets

Female employment in Thailand is 46% with women holding 39% of senior positions. Unemployment in Thailand remains consistently low dropping as far as 1.1%. As a result of this, Thailand has a high rate of informal employment in the labor-intensive industry, but this number is expected to decrease as the quality of education improves leading to an increase in average wages and less employment in the labor-intensive sectors.

In the last few years, the average income has increased by 11% with the highest average incomes being centered in Bangkok. Since the nationwide minimum has increased, Thailand has shifted towards becoming an upper middle income country. Nonetheless, the Kingdom’s relatively low wages still attracts foreign investors.

With growing wages and low unemployment, Thailand is focusing on improving its educational system to encourage a base of skilled workers. The Ministry of Education has provided funding to increase the number of teachers and has made many changes to the curriculum. Free education is provided for up to twelve years with nine years of mandatory basic education. Many students continue on to higher education due to higher economic rewards. All of this moves towards the establishment of a knowledge-based society.

The current government has put efforts into the promotion of vocational training. Many private companies have also established their own educational institutions to provide for the vocational education of later employees. The Office of Vocational Education Commission intends Thailand to be the vocational education hub of the region.

http://www.thailandtoday.in.th/node/769

1.9 Market trends

After Indonesia, Thailand is the second largest economy in Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is an upper middle income country with an open economy, a gross domestic product of $479 billion, and 3.9% growth in 2017. It stands 26th largest export destination for the United States.

Considering the frozen food market, Increasing number of trading partners supported with strong export demand for processed seafood and meat dishes from major countries such as Japan, Australia, China, Korea, US, EU, Middle East and other Southeast Asian countries are further anticipated to drive the demand for frozen seafood and meat products. Various brands in Thailand have started using natural and alternative sweetener blends for instance, thick organic stevia and cane sugar in order to lighten the sugar content in sweet dessert treats. Frozen vegetarian ready meal options are likely to boost the demand for Thailand frozen foods market over long term. Rising demand for diverse fruits with distinct flavor especially Mangosteen, durians and longans are also expected to boost the market revenues for processed fruits and vegetables in Thailand in near future.

Thailand frozen foods market is poised to grow on account of growing end-users demand including hotels, restaurants, commercial offices, hospitals, quick service joints and others. Leading frozen food manufacturers in Thailand have started to invest towards expanding their production capacity in order to meet the ever-growing demand for frozen foods in the country.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thailand-frozen-foods-market-is-expected-to-reach-over-thb-147-billion-by-2022-ken-research-869777308.html

1.10 International agribusiness

Agribusiness is the business of agricultural production. It includes breeding, agrichemicals, crop production, processing, farm machinery, seed supply, marketing and retail sales. In recent years, Thailand has slowly shifted away from an agriculture driven economy due to a decreasing number of workers. Nonetheless, production continues to grow through the use of better farming techniques and new technology. The top agricultural products are rice, rubber, and sugar-cane, and production in all exports will continue to grow as the government has been promoting Thailand as “The Kitchen of the World.” To ensure a high quality of food and reduce risks, there are many food control agencies charged with regular inspections. Several Thai products require quality assurance standards from these organizations.

Thailand has gained a good reputation for producing good food ingredient products like sauces and seasonings. Its resources and favorable wages make the Kingdom an appealing hub for investment. A growing trend among Thai people is healthcare products and organic foods. Many companies are now investing in innovations and research for healthier food products. At the same time, snacks have been growing in popularity with fish snacks being most well received.

Agribusiness interest in reforestation with fast growing tree species began in the late 1970s as government aimed to reduce the costs of importing of pulp and paper. The Royal Forestry Department determined Eucalyptus camandulensis to be the most suitable species and granted 30 year land concessions to agribusiness firms for rents of one baht per rai per year, later raised to 10 baht. Plans for reforestation showed a 40 percent total national forest cover with 25 percent being commercial plantations, a policy supported through tax privileges for investment in paper mills, pulp companies, and plantation development. Global rises in pulp prices attracted many big companies

http://www.thailandtoday.in.th/node/773

1.11 Food biotechnology

Food biotechnology is the use of technology to modify the genes of our food sources. Our food sources are animals, plants, and microorganisms. With food biotechnology, the world uses what it knows about science and genetics to improve the food we eat.

Thailand boasts one of the most advanced food processing industries in Southeast Asia. Comprised of over 10,000 food-processing companies, the export-oriented food industry the most of it. The industry is expected to surpass US$33 billion within the next two years. Leveraging its rich agricultural roots and abundant natural resources, Thailand has attained reputable status not only regionally but also worldwide, being the sole net food exporter in Asia and ranking as one of the top five world net food exporters.

Advancements in biotechnology further cemented its regional leadership as a major agricultural exporter through the creation of new products, improvement of existing products and increased food safety. Additionally, biotechnology also enhances crop yields and reduces the costs of agricultural products, boosting the overall commercial value of the food sector. At the same time, strict adherence to top-notch quality and hygiene standards is crucial to the success in the global food processing industry. Investments in biotechnology research and development facilities enable product development and improvements in product quality, allowing strong and persistent growth of the industry.

The current food biotechnology projects in Thailand include field testing DNA techniques in transgenic plants to yield resistance to diseases, pests and biotic stress. It also process germ plasma collection in plants such as cucumber, chili, sweet corn, rice, cassava and sugarcane. Further, it looks into the plants and food for the development that is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Till date, more than 80 agro-businesses have invested in the country. Biotechnology assists these companies to upgrade their products and strengthen their research and development capabilities, increasing their overall competitiveness.

Plant breeding development

In Thailand, technologies, such as Marker Assisted Selection, gene discovery and transformation systems, are adopted for plant breeding with desired traits, including markers for fragrance, cooking quality and disease resistance in rice, and sweetness in sugarcane. For example, MAS is used with conventional breeding to breed fragrant rice varieties resistant to flooding, bacterial leaf blight and brown leafhopper.

Genetic engineering policy: Transgenic plants

The National Biotechnology and Bio-safety Policy framework focused on utilizing biotechnology for the prosperity of the business, the self-sufficient economy, and the wellness of society. The National Biotechnology Policy Committee issued a genetically modified organism’s roadmap for building R&D capabilities from research and development to commercialization. Thailand has adopted the Bio-safety guidelines for laboratory work and field work and planned release and now Thailand is preparing to develop a Bio-safety law.

http://www.thinkasiainvestthailand.com/download/biotechnology.pdf

1.12 Food production, marketing and product development

1.12.1 Food Production

Thailand has increased the efficiency of its agriculture, using economic concepts such as investment benefits and opportunity costs as the basis for production increases. Imported agricultural inputs such as chemical fertilizer, and other chemicals such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, plus fuel, farm machinery and hybrid seeds, have been introduced to increase production. These have replaced locally produced farm inputs such as compost, manure, herbs and power from draft animals. Higher yields have resulted from this increase in agricultural inputs. From this point of view, the increase in farm inputs has given Thailand a considerable profit in food production.

Thailand also believes that to achieve sustainable food production at a national level requires hard and cooperative work by various institutions working in cooperation. It involves the recognition of problems in agriculture, analysis of which can lead to appropriate technologies, and implementation which fits in with physical and socio-economic determinants, while aiming at environmental conservation at all times. There are a number of ways in which sustainable crop production can be achieved.

Mixed cropping system

Any type of cropping system which has a higher degree of biodiversity is considered important. There are vast areas of Thailand where sufficient rainfall is available and soil structure is adequate to allow for a multiple cropping system. A grain-legume-grain crop rotation, particularly rice-legume double cropping, can be readily established. Subsistence agriculture is still practiced over large areas of Thailand, and is dependent upon the slash-and-burn method for food production.

Restoration of soil fertility

Thailand has begun a strong program to restore and replenish soil fertility. The use of cash crops in a rice-based cropping system is emphasized, providing nitrogen for the subsequent crop. Green manure crops such as sesbania are being grown before rice in areas such as the Northeast where soil organic matter is particularly low. Other approaches include the use of farm by-products such as rice straw and livestock manure to increase soil organic matter.

Reduced Tillage or No-Tillage

Crop production based on reduced tillage is becoming increasingly popular in Thailand as a means of controlling soil erosion. No- tillage techniques can significantly reduce soil loss and improve soil structure by maintaining a higher level of organic matter. However, there are some drawbacks. Weed control at planting is done by chemicals rather than mechanical tillage, involving as great an environmental risk as normal tillage and high costs. Since fertilizers must be applied on the surface, there are higher losses from leaching and volatilization.

Integrated and biological pest control

In Thailand, integrated pest management is being developed based on a combination of cultural practices, host plant resistance, and natural enemies. There is also an emphasis on the need for safe pesticides and better pesticide management. Development of novel products such as growth regulators seem to be easily integrated with non-chemical control methods. Implementation of integrated pest management in Thailand has been particularly successful for rice and soybean. However, many crops still need urgent attention, especially those for which misuse and overuse of pesticides are common, including vegetables, fruit crops, and cash crops such as cotton.

Biodiversity, Genetic Resources and Plant Improvement

Biodiversity is a fundamental element in sustainable development. The conservation of a wide base of plant genetic resources has direct implications for the future development and enhancement of crops. Plant breeding in Thailand aims at selecting crops and genotypes adapted to environmental constraints. Crops should be adapted to local conditions, including climatic factors, mineral stress and soil toxicity, and should have durable resistance to most important pests. The other objective is efficiency of nutrient use, and where appropriate, of nitrogen fixation. Furthermore, breeding programs emphasize the adaptation of crops to the entire production system. Biotechnology is a tool which may bring advances that were considered difficult or impossible through conventional plant breeding, as individual characteristics can now be transferred from one variety or species to another. Biotechnology is also important in the production of disease-free germ plasma and for disease diagnosis.

Adoption of technology by farmers

A huge amount of technology generated by research has not been accepted by farmers, simply because farmers feel that it is impractical. Recently, farming systems research has been introduced, so that researchers have an understanding of the farmer's situation before technology is developed. It is important that technology should be tested under farm conditions, and recommendations should be made only in consultation with farmers. There is an urgent need to develop and promote technology that increases or sustains productivity at a lower cost and does not harm the environment. There is also a need for technology which is less labor intensive.

Soil and water conservation measures to achieve sustainable development have been designed to benefit farmers in their application. Simple water harvesting methods can match this requirement, as well as certain forms of minimum tillage. Emphasis is placed on low external input farming system, to reduce residue problems from fertilizers and pesticides, and the cost of production inputs.

1.12.2Marketing

Thailand’s food marketing sector continues to grow in 2017, driven by strong economic growth, increasing numbers of tourists, and government investment. Thailand is one of the world’s leading agricultural suppliers, primarily due to its well-developed food processing sector. The food industry is the country’s third largest industry, contributing 23 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. As a result, Thailand is competitive market for food and beverage products. However, there is good sales potential for a number of products including food preparation ingredients, whey, frozen potatoes, apples, milk and cream, pet food, almond nuts, and raisins.

1.12.3Product development

A dominant strategy has been simply to buy products which are already established in the market, rather than to develop them. Mergers and acquisitions have contributed to decreasing R&D investment worldwide, and they help companies acquire new products and develop a strong market presence rapidly. In Thailand, multinational acquire Thai food companies to gain production facilities, distribution channel access and to eliminate competitors. Well established Thai companies pursue similar strategies to expand into international markets. In R&D, this practice breeds conservatism. Local companies usually upgrade existing products rather than attempt to introduce new products. In Thailand, economic liberalization and relaxation in foreign investment have attracted multinational companies, which often gain strong positions in Asian markets through mergers and acquisitions.

http://www.fftc.agnet.org/library.php?func=view&id=20110727103450

1.13 Relationships between food and gender, socio-economics, race, ethnicity

Food is central to Thai culture and plays an integral part in Thai social relations. Sharing a meal precedes business dealings and treating friends to a meal is an indication of social achievement, especially if it takes place in a fancy Western restaurant. Thai notions of identity, hierarchy and status are expressed and negotiated through food. Central Thai food, epitomized by the foods of the grand palace, is at the top of the status hierarchy in relation to the foods and food styles of the North, Northeast and South. Central Thailand, and especially Bangkok as the only major urban centre, has dominated Thailand politically, economically, socially and culturally. Central Thai cuisine is found all over Thailand, as the Survey illustrates.

In defining Thai cuisine, however, Bangkokians have appropriated regional foods like somtam (papaya salad). This is a Northeastern (Isan) dish that is becoming increasingly popular all over Thailand but especially in Bangkok and is being redefined as a "Thai" dish. Isan food is "low status" but it is very popular as is indicated by survey results of 91%.

Isan food is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Central Thai food. The Northeast is the region most unlike Bangkok in every way as the poorest and least developed region in Thailand with the lowest standard of living but with the most distinctive cuisine. Its cuisine relies heavily on wild greens and forest foods.

Country foods such as wild honey, insects, frogs and snake are difficult to get in Bangkok. They are becoming expensive and part of a status inversion that is occurring with some Isan foods.

Thai values such as the public display of status, making merit, fun, entertainment, and Seniority are all expressed and negotiated through food. Thai also value both the modern and the traditional, saying this is about "going with the times without forgetting who you are". Thai notions of a meal are based on a persistent structure that can accommodate considerable flexibility and innovation in content.

https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/capi/assets/docs/Walker_Food_Consumption.pdf