Bangkok 24 April 2020 – Chia Tai, Thailand’s leading integrated agricultural company, recently provided 500,000 packets of vegetable seeds for the 90-day action plan called “Planting for Food Security”, originated by the Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior. The vegetable seeds will be distributed to people in 76 provinces across the country, with the aim to help them have access to quality fresh homegrown vegetables, create food security and help ease the impact from COVID-19.
Community Development Department Director-General Mr. Suthipong Jullacharoen said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide impact on Thai economy, with many companies having to reduce staff numbers or even close their businesses, resulting in a significant increase of unemployment and people having to be more prudent with their spending. Moreover, on the background of this uncertain time, people also may feel insecure regarding possible food shortages. Aligned to our vision to increase stability of local economy and to build self-reliance for Thai people, we believe that King Rama 9’s sufficiency economy philosophy can be the resolution to these problems, and will help the country pull through this crisis, especially on creating food security, an urgent issue that needs immediate action.”
Therefore, the Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior, has come up with the 90-day action plan called “Planting for Food Security.” The objective is to enable Thais to have sufficient sources of food at home and to be able to reduce their expenses during economic slowdown. The plan also aims to help prepare Thais to be self-reliant in time of crisis. To be a part of this effort, Chia Tai has supported with 500,000 packets of four quality vegetable seeds, specifically Chinese kale, Chinese convolvulus, Basil and Bird Chili, which will be given to people in 76 provinces across the country. Not only does this project help Thai people have access to safe and quality vegetables to share with their family and reduce their expenses, but it also helps create food security for the country.
Mr. Chaiyapan Limpiwan, Senior Vice President Seed Business of Chia Tai, said: “To reduce the huge impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation is needed from all parties. As Thailand’s leading integrated agricultural company, having supported Thai people for more than 99 years, Chia Tai is ready to help people overcome this crisis by supporting the government to create food security and encouraging Thai people to plant quality homegrown vegetables. This will help them develop financial stability and improve their quality of life in sustainable way, in line with Chia Tai’s commitment to deliver agricultural innovations for a better and sustainable quality of life.”
In addition to the support of 500,000 vegetable seed packets to the Community Development Department for distribution to people all over the country, Chia Tai also provided 7,000 seed packets to the provincial government of Samutsakhon, Samutsongkhram and Maehongson for further distribution to local people. Furthermore, the company held an online activity to give away additional 25,000 seed packets to anyone interested, through its Facebook page. All these initiatives are meant to encourage those who stay home to grow their own fresh and safe vegetables, while also creating a fun family activity during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Chia Tai is more than ready to help the country reduce the effect of COVID-19 by utilize our 99 years of knowledge and experience to create food security and sustainability for the Thai communities, so that we can overcome this crisis together,” Mr. Chaiyapan added.
