Thailand : Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture for Enhanced Recovery and Sustainability of Highlands

Sovereign Project | 53099-001

Impact, outcome and outputs: The proposed TA aims to reduce vulnerability and enhance adaptive capacity of highland communities and ecosystems to cope with current and projected climate change impacts. The TA is aligned with the following impact: agricultural competitiveness in highlands improved. The TA will have the following outcome: enabling environment for adoption of climate-smart agriculture in project areas enhanced. The TA has four outputs as listed below.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Ancha, Srinivasan
    Sectors Group
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Thailand
  • Sector
    • Agriculture, natural resources and rural development
Project Name Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture for Enhanced Recovery and Sustainability of Highlands
Project Number 53099-001
Country / Economy Thailand
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 9993-THA: Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture for Enhanced Recovery and Sustainability of Highlands
Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific US$ 2.00 million
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
OP5: Promoting rural development and food security
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development - Agricultural production - Agro-industry, marketing, and trade - Forestry - Land-based natural resources management - Rural market infrastructure - Water-based natural resources management

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description

Impact, outcome and outputs: The proposed TA aims to reduce vulnerability and enhance adaptive capacity of highland communities and ecosystems to cope with current and projected climate change impacts. The TA is aligned with the following impact: agricultural competitiveness in highlands improved. The TA will have the following outcome: enabling environment for adoption of climate-smart agriculture in project areas enhanced. The TA has four outputs as listed below.

Output 1: Capacity to assess climate change vulnerability of highland agriculture improved. Key activities include: (i) determine factors contributing to climate change vulnerability based on consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including ethnic communities; (ii) analyze existing baseline data, and identify capacity needs and gaps on vulnerability in different subsectors of agriculture; (iii) equitably strengthen capacity of local government staff, on data collection and methods of climate change vulnerability assessment; (iv) assess climate change vulnerability and impacts under current and future climate scenarios; and (v) prepare a guidance manual on climate change vulnerability assessment in highlands.

Output 2: Gender-responsive, climate-smart agricultural practices prioritized and demonstrated. This output will: (i) prepare an inventory of gender-responsive CSA practices for the highlands and conduct multi-criteria assessment with stakeholders, including female and male farmers, private sector, and government staff to prioritize CSA practices; (ii) conduct costbenefit analysis of at least three priority CSA practices; (iii) demonstrate at least two CSA practices in target area (Bua Yai sub-district, Na Noi district, Nan Province); (iv) build capacity of stakeholders on CSA and prepare a roadmap for an inclusive climate-friendly agribusiness investment project for Nan Province in collaboration with the private sector; and (v) prepare knowledge products on CSA demonstration process and the most appropriate CSA practices for the highlands.

Output 3: Agricultural product quality, value addition, and market linkages enhanced. This output will: (i) identify priority highland agri-food products for quality and safety improvement and value addition (e.g., processing, packaging, branding) by the private sector; (ii) build capacity of local communities in an inclusive manner, on grower certification schemes (e.g., participatory guarantee system), organic farming, and good agricultural practices; (iii) train local communities (encouraging the equitable participation of female and male farmers) and the private sector on agri-food quality and safety improvement and value addition; (iv) demonstrate the application of digital technologies for traceability of agri-food products; and (v) develop knowledge products on grower certification schemes, quality and safety enhancement, and value addition.

Output 4: Capacity of local governments and communities to address climate change strengthened. This output will: (i) train staff of local governments on integrating climate change concerns in agricultural and development plans at district- and provincial-levels; (ii) raise awareness among female and male farmers, youth, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector on agricultural adaptation and mitigation measures, and alternate livelihood options (e.g., ecotourism, non-timber forest products such as medicinal plants, honey processing, handicrafts); (iii) conduct field visits to promote 'farmer-to-farmer learning from demonstration sites; (iv) prepare knowledge products, including a video, on CSA demonstrations and alternate livelihood options; and (v) organize an international workshop on CSA to disseminate the TA findings.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Agriculture remains a key sector in Thailand's economy, with over 48% of population living in rural areas and over 30% employed in agriculture. In northern Thailand, monocropping (especially maize) has become the dominant economic activity following conversion of large tracts of forests into agricultural land. Unsustainable farming practices and over-exploitation of natural resources led to severe resource degradation, low productivity, negative health impacts, and unstable incomes. Key challenges facing the highland agriculture in provinces such as Nan include: (i) severe soil erosion due to crop cultivation on sloping areas without adequate soil conservation measures; (ii) high soil degradation resulting from monoculture; (iii) high soil and water pollution due to sloping area and inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides; (iv) high sedimentation in water bodies, leading to low carrying capacity; (v) lack of land ownership or user rights; and (vi) limited collaboration and cooperation of local ethnic groups living in upstream areas with local governments. Climate variability and change, manifested through rising temperatures and a greater frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, is exacerbating the problems. The ethnic mountainous farmers in remote areas are directly and severely impacted by climate change. Addressing degradation of natural resources and impacts of climate change, in close cooperation with local farmers, CSOs and governments, is critical to enhance recovery and sustainability of highland communities and ecosystems.
Impact

Agricultural competitiveness in highlands improved. (Thailand's Twenty-Year Agriculture and Cooperatives Strategy (20172036)

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Outcome

Enabling environment for adoption of climate-smart agriculture in project areas enhanced.

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Capacity to assess climate change vulnerability of highland agriculture improved

Gender-responsive, CSA practices prioritized and demonstrated

Agricultural product quality, value addition, and market linkages enhanced

Capacity of local governments and communities to address climate change strengthened

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services ADB will select, supervise, and evaluate consultants in accordance with the ADB Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and the associated Staff Instructions. Lump-sum contracts, utilizing output-based terms of reference will be considered for the consulting services.
Procurement The TA-financed consultants will procure works and goods for demonstration activities under the guidance of the project implementation unit, in accordance with the ADB Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time). Any goods and assets procured by engaged consultants will be turned over to local governments or disposed following ADB procedures.
Responsible ADB Officer Ancha, Srinivasan
Responsible ADB Department Sectors Group
Responsible ADB Division Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR)
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Timetable
Concept Clearance 18 Apr 2020
Fact Finding 10 Feb 2020 to 12 Feb 2020
MRM -
Approval 19 Jun 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 23 Jun 2020

TA 9993-THA

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
19 Jun 2020 11 Aug 2020 11 Aug 2020 30 Aug 2023 31 Dec 2024 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
0.00 2,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000,000.00 22 Nov 2023 457,250.46

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
TA Coordination and Liaison Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
TA Coordination and Liaison Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Climate-smart agriculture consulting firm Firm - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Capacity Development Technical Assistance 9993 25 Nov 2020 Asian Institute Of Technology(THAILAND) in association with TEAM Consulting Eng'g.g.& Mgmt. Public Company Ltd(THAILAND) | Km. 42, Paholyothin Highway Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives 1,651,415.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.