On February 22, 2022, at the Government Houses, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin led the Ministry of Labour’s executives and trainees with the Department of Skill Development to meet with Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha to publicize the drive of the “one province, one project, one curriculum” project. Secretariat to the Labour Minister Mr. Suthep Chitayawong, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong, Ms. Yanakorn Chanthun, representative of Na & Lan Community Farm in Khon Kaen Province, and Ms. Jirapha Samma also joined the occasion.
Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin said that Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha has the policy to develop the potential of all worker groups through the civil state mechanism and is concerned for farmers affected by COVID-19. The situation has resulted in a labour shortage and rising unemployment. Therefore, it aims to promote the employment of the affected workers to have a job, income, and improved well-being. The Ministry of Labour, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, emphasizes the preparation of workers by upskilling and reskilling them through the application of modern technology in agricultural careers to solve unemployment and the workforce’s troubles.
Mr. Suchart continued that he has assigned the Department of Skill Development to prepare the “one province, one project, one curriculum” project to support labour groups affected by COVID-19. The Smart Farmer course aims to increase the value of agricultural products with technology. The goal is to upskill and reskill agricultural workers with low income or unemployed by using technology to generate income for workers and communities. It aims to reach over 1,500 people nationwide. It has also developed additional vocational training courses focusing on innovation and appropriate technology by the community for sustainable communities, aiming to develop and upgrade the skills of informal workers to become Smart Farmer. Skill development courses have been designed to cover upstream, midstream, and downstream components, including production, management, and marketing. It has developed 25 learning centers across the country to transfer IoT technologies for agriculture, taking lessons from the success of entrepreneurs using marketing to lead production, selection of premium plants, and market expansion. Products have been sold to large retailers and local markets in online, onsite, and on-market channels. For example, the design and construction of houses with community materials and modern technology to grow crops enable lower production costs, increase productivity and connect markets, extend careers, raise income, and grow the community economy.
Today, two successful farmers from the project were brought to meet with the Prime Minister to publicize the project. The two people were Khun Yanakorn Chanthun, a representative from Nam & Lan Farm Community Enterprise, Khon Kaen Province, and Ms. Jirapha Samma, a person who has experienced success from the project from training with the Khon Kaen Skill Development Institute 6, from the Department of Skill Development. They applied IoT technology to use in organic vegetable cultivation. This project has promoted and provided opportunities for repatriated workers and farmers who are already engaged in the same occupation, allowing them to participate in a training program that focuses on education and skills in using high technology for agriculture. It promotes knowledge and skills in electrics, electronics and computers, design, installation of equipment, and collecting data for analysis according to agricultural principles and theories. This allows them to optimize production processes, reduce costs, increase productivity and develop into a Smart Farmer.
In this regard, the business operation of the said community enterprise group is supported by the Ministry of Labour, the government, and local networks, supporting the knowledge of technology and marketing for a career in organic agriculture with a healthy lifestyle. There is a market to support products throughout the season, and businesses can be operated stably. Most of the produce from the farm is salad vegetables such as green oak, red oak, green cos, glass, butterhead, frillice, red Batavia, green Batavia, and baby cos. These can be cultivated throughout the year, creating jobs and earning over 25,000 Baht per month, increasing income from traditional cultivation by 30-50 percent. It creates food security, jobs, and a sustainable income.
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Division of Public Relations
22 February 2022
