Title: Uplifting Thailand's agriculture through agricultural education: a paradigm shift for future farmers

Authors: Supawan Visetnoi; Sompong Sirisoponsilp

Addresses: School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand ' School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract: Thailand was one of the largest agricultural commodities exporters in the world but Thai farmers are still facing a problem of poverty and low productivity. The root of the problem is believed to be the lack of holistic development approach and effective integrated management of agro-food chain of farmers. It is believed that an improved agricultural education system could be a tool to develop the country's agricultural sector. Entrepreneurship education could be a way to enhance the farmers' competitiveness, reduce poverty and help in social and economic development. This article reviews the issues of the country's agricultural education in the past as well as a new model of agricultural education introduced to undergraduate students that combined the integrated knowledge from upstream to downstream of agricultural value chain with incorporation of social engagement learning into the program and curriculum.

Keywords: agricultural education; higher education; entrepreneurial farmer; Thailand; interdisciplinary; undergraduate program.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2019.099600

International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, 2019 Vol.1 No.1, pp.44 - 56

Received: 08 May 2018
Accepted: 03 Aug 2018
Published online: 14 May 2019 *

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