Story by Peerawat Paengma/ Agriculture and Food Cluster
As climate change continues to affect rainfall patterns, water availability and rice production systems, farmers and extension officers are facing increasing uncertainty when making agricultural decisions. To support more climate-smart, resilient and sustainable rice farming, a new online training on climate-smart agriculture for extensionists and farmers has been developed and is now available.
Designed to strengthen knowledge of climate-smart agriculture and build practical skills, the training equips extension officers, farmers and agricultural professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to changing climate conditions through innovative and sustainable farming practices.
The curriculum consists of 20 modules covering key topics in climate-smart agricultural production, extension systems, agrometeorology, farm management and landscape approaches. The first lot of 12 modules is now available in Thai with English subtitle:
- Module 1: Introduction and Overview
- Module 2: Climate-Smart Extension System
- Module 3: CST1 – Weather Forecast Advisory Services
- Module 4: CST2 – Farm-level Water Management
- Module 5: CST3 – Rice Variety Identification
- Module 6: CST4 – Laser Land Levelling
- Module 7: CST5 – Dry Direct Seeding Rice
- Module 8: CST6 – Integrated Pest Management
- Module 9: CST7 – Alternate Wetting and Drying
- Module 10: CST8 – Soil Nutrient Management
- Module 11: CST9 – Straw and Stubble Management
- Module 12: CST10 – Rice-based Cropping System
Participants will gain practical knowledge of water, soil, straw and stubble management, climate adaptation techniques, sustainable rice production and effective extension approaches. Each module includes interactive learning materials and quizzes, enabling participants to assess their understanding and work towards certification.
This training was developed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the Rice Department, the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.
The initiative builds on the knowledge, expertise, and lessons learned accumulated through the following projects:
- Thai Rice: Strengthening Climate-Smart Rice Farming Project (Thai Rice GCF)
- Thai-German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate (TGC EMC) – Biomass Component
- Innovative Climate Risk Financing for the Agricultural Sector in the ASEAN Region (Agri-CRF)
- Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes in Thailand (ISRL)
Further modules will be added to the curriculum soon, covering topics such as Climate Risk Management, Landscape Management Practices and Empowering Women in Agriculture.
Join us in building a more climate-resilient future for rice farming through knowledge, innovation and collaboration. ■
