Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of the agro-food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), is committed to the ethical sourcing of agricultural raw materials for animal feed production. With a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly sourcing practices, the company emphasizes the eradication of deforestation and the challenge of PM2.5 pollution. In collaboration with government authorities, Bangkok Produce has initiated a comprehensive program to enable farmers to cultivate corn in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. This effort includes a partnership with the Sisaket Provincial Agricultural Extension Office to educate the farming community in Non Khun District, Sisaket province, on GAP standards for corn cultivation.
The program is designed to promote sustainable farming practices that enhance crop yield efficiency, lower operational expenses, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the cultivation process. This strategy aims to increase the competitiveness of farmers, ensuring their financial stability and livelihood sustainability.
During these educational sessions, Bangkok Produce introduced the "F.Farm" application, a digital platform that provides farmers with access to crucial cultivation data. This tool aims to enhance the quality of their produce, making it ideal for direct supply to animal feed manufacturers. The application delivers comprehensive insights into weather forecasts, market trends, and crop management practices, etc.
Worapot Suratwisit, deputy managing director of Bangkok Produce, has highlighted the company's recognition of the harmful impacts of PM2.5 pollution stemming from various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and construction. This concern prompted the launch of one of Thailand's inaugural traceability systems in 2016 for the sourcing of animal feed corn, ensuring that all corn supplied to the company's operations in Thailand is free from deforestation and crop residue burning, in line with CP Group's strict sourcing policies.
This commitment extends to avoiding corn sourced from deforested areas and those affected by crop burning. The traceability system is now being expanded to the company's operations in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
The training sessions underscore the company's firm policy against purchasing or importing animal feed raw materials from areas involved in deforestation or crop residue burning. This stance contributes to broader efforts to reduce PM2.5 pollution and smog in Thailand.
Furthermore, Bangkok Produce has fostered partnerships with government bodies, business partners, and farmers through a public-private partnership model. This model requires the use of satellite imaging technology to detect and prevent crop burning in cornfields, promoting a traceability system that ensures responsible sourcing. These efforts are augmented by the dissemination of modern agricultural technologies and practices among the farming community, reinforcing the company's dedication to sustainable agricultural advancement.
Committed to minimizing greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain, Bangkok Produce's efforts in sustainable corn sourcing are integral to achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050, ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural products and the global food production system.
