Ambassador of Thailand to Senegal and Thai delegation visited ANIDA’s Integrated Farming Project in Mbodiene, Senegal

            On 7 February 2013, H.E. Mrs Busaya Mathelin, Ambassador of Thailand to Senegal led a group of delegates from Thailand and accompanied by Mr. El Hadji Malick Sarr, Director General of the National Agency for Agricultural Insertion and Development (ANIDA) to visit an integrated farming project of ANIDA  in Mbodiène, in the Thies Region of Senegal.

            The field visit was arranged by ANIDA for the Thai Ambassador and the delegation consisting of a high-level representative of Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) and a rice expert from the Department of Rice of Thailand who came to Senegal to attend the 5^th General Meeting of the Coalition of African Rice Development (CARD) on 5-6 February 2013. The objective of the visit was for the Thai side to observe the ongoing agricultural project of ANIDA which is in partnership with the Government of Brazil and to explore ways and means for future cooperation between Thailand and Senegal in this domain.

            During the visit, the Ambassador and her delegates met with local farmers and observed the model farm, which ANIDA has supported a small family in Mbodiène to develop. The model farm covers an area of 1 hectare, equipped with a solar energy water pump and drip irrigation system, and contains diverse agricultural activities including fruits and vegetables cultivation as well as fish and poultry farming. The integrated small family farm, which aims at providing healthy eating and additional income for farmers, is in line with His Majesty the King of Thailand’s New Theory on Land and Water Management based on His philosophy of “Sufficiency Economy”.

            Thailand wishes to share its best practices and experience in this field to help Senegal build resilience and promote food security and sustainable rural development.

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