Promoting a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sector in Thailand - Policy Brief

This policy brief examines the application of the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Agriculture and Food analysis to assess transitions from conventional to sustainable rice production in Thailand, focusing on central and north-eastern regions. It presents five key rice management practices aligned with the Sustainable Rice Platform standard, covering water and nutrient management, soil fertility enhancement, pest management, and the elimination of rice straw burning to address greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity. Using scenario modelling from 2022 to 2050, the analysis evaluates system responses to increasing adoption of these practices across production, environmental, and health dimensions through cost-benefit methods, showing higher net benefits and reduced environmental and health impacts under expanded adoption.