Food manufacturers are planning |to promote the industry's growth based on the "4S" model - security, safety, sustainability and standardisation - in order to promote Thailand as the "World Leading Food Supplier".
The action plan will be applied in conjunction with the development of five other industries to ensure the most efficient outcome for private-sector development. The project is part of Competitiveness Conference 2010.
Chatchai Boonyarat, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said last week that |the food industry is the key to |creating sustainable economic growth of the country, as it supports most of the population, namely farmers.
"Thai food exports should grow faster than now in a more sus-|tainable way. Thai food exports account for 2 per cent of total |food trading value in the world," he said.
Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, |chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's committee on the |agricultural and food industry, |said food exports will grow by |an average of 5-10 per cent a |year after the adaptation of the strategy.
4s strategy
Under the 4S strategy, first, the security model will ensure that the domestic market will have an adequate supply of food products, while exports will be increased.
Many challenges, including global warming, the implementation of free-trade agreements and natural disasters hinder food industry growth. As a farming nation, Thailand must ensure that the country will have a secure supply of food for its population and the overseas market, he said.
Second, the safety model will ensure food safety standards from farming to manufacturing and transportation to consumers. Farmers must learn to produce food based on traceability, rules and international laws.
Third, the sustainability model will encourage the food production industry to be concerned about the environment, as a green industry, as well as corporate social responsibility.
Finally, the standardisation model will ensure that every producer will have the same and clear mindset for developing the industry in the same direction.
Once that happens, not only will food manufacturers benefit, but also farmers, as they will get a better return.
To ensure efficient enforcement of the 4S model, the chamber will select some industries as pilots of development. Livestock, fisheries, rice, processed fruit and vegetables, and tuna are some possibilities, he added.
Thammasak Jittimaporn, CEO |of Green Spot Co, said beverages |like soya bean milk are some of |the potential products to be developed under the 4S model. Soya |bean milk involves both farmers |and high-technology produc-|tion.
As a large company, Green |Spot has long improved coopera-tion with the community and other businesses to adapt to mount-|ing concerns over food safety and sustainable development. The project should help SMEs to become more efficient, as they will have a clear model for development, he added.