Empowering Farmers: Driving Climate-Resilient
Rice Farming in Thailand
At the heart of the Thai Rice GCF project is a transformative vision: empowering smallholder farmers to build resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing sustainable livelihoods.
To achieve this paradigm shift, the project bridges advanced climate technology with localised community action through an innovative extension framework and tailored capacity-building tools.
1. Climate Smart Extension System (CSES)
The Climate Smart Extension System (CSES) is a holistic approach designed to transform Thai rice farming into a climate-resilient, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable sector. Built on the powerful integration of Agricultural Extension, Modern Marketing Principles, and Digital Communication, CSES goes beyond traditional training to drive true technology adoption at the farm level.
Core Pillars of CSES:
- Cascading Knowledge Network (SMCR Model): Utilising David K. Berlo’s communication model, CSES systematically transfers knowledge from Master Trainers down to Provincial Officers, District/Sub-district Agents, Lead Farmers, and ultimately over 250,000 smallholder farmers across 21 target provinces.
- Value-Driven Adoption: Applying proven innovation adoption methodologies (such as Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations and the 80/20 Pareto Principle), CSES focuses on demonstrating clear economic and environmental value, helping farmers transition smoothly from awareness to full practice.
- Multi-Agency Synergy: CSES unifies the expertise, resources, and field force of four key national and international partners: the Rice Department, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), and GIZ.
CSES ensures that climate-smart agriculture is not only environmentally sound, but also economically rewarding and socially uplifting for farming communities.
Written by Dr. Atthawit Watcharapongchai
Head of Field Implementation, Thai Rice GCF Project
2. The Trainer Manual for Climate Smart Officers (CSO Manual)
To turn the CSES vision into action on the ground, the project has developed the Trainer Manual: Train the Trainer (3T) for Climate-Smart Rice Production. This comprehensive curriculum serves as the primary operational guide for agricultural extension agents, equipping them to become effective Climate Smart Officers (CSOs).
Resource Download
Trainer Manual: Climate Smart Extension System (Draft Version, Thai language only)
