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SDSN Thailand Hosts Panel on “Enabling Mechanisms for Sustainable Agriculture and Food System”

By SDSN Thailand

In October 2025, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Thailand network (SDSN Thailand), led by SDG Move, hosted the Science Panel on Sustainable Food and Agriculture on "Enabling Mechanisms for Sustainable Agriculture and Food System."

The panel featured a wide range of expertise. Representatives from the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium shared global case studies on how universities and research institutions can drive the transition toward sustainable agri-food systems. The Thailand Research, Science and Innovation Office and the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU A) also discussed creating an enabling environment for research, knowledge, and technology transfer.

Additionally, a representative from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative outlined the government's role in driving policy coherence and cross-sector collaboration. Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Mae Ta Sustainable Agriculture Cooperative later highlighted bridging local realities with global agendas to foster inclusive participation and drive accountability. Finally, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and the Government Savings Bank shared financing models tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers, particularly green and sustainable finances.

The conversation highlighted that issues such as climate change, fragmented policies, and economic inequality are deeply intertwined. Panelists emphasized that a fragmented, siloed approach to policy-making is no longer viable. Instead, a holistic and integrated approach is essential to connect production systems with global value chains and address root causes.

Key takeaways from the discussion included:

  • Holistic and Integrated Approach: It is critical to move away from fragmented policies. Sustainable agriculture requires a comprehensive approach that considers cross-sectoral and international impacts, connecting local production to global value chains.
  • Local Empowerment: Effective transformation must happen at the local level. Centralized mechanisms need to be more efficient, and civil society and communities must be given the opportunity to participate in designing and implementing local food system solutions.
  • Closing Gaps: Action is urgently needed to provide small-scale farmers and SMEs with better access to Open Knowledge, Open Finance, markets, standards, and technology.
  • Collaboration and Networking: Growth and innovation depend on strong, collaborative networks between government, private sectors, finance, academia, and civil society, both domestically and internationally.
  • Farmer’s Well-being: The ultimate goal of development must be to improve the quality of life and ensure the prosperity of farmers. This includes a focus on inclusive economic models that distribute wealth more broadly through inclusive clusters.