On 20 February 2025, Mr. Psusist Wongsurawat, Minister attached to the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, delivered his remarks at the opening ceremony of the “Post-Harvest Management and Rice Value Chain” training program at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom Province. Also present were Mr. Krit Won-in, Vice President from the Office of Innovation and Social Engagement, Kasetsart University, Dr. Kanyarat Cheiwvech, Director of the Office of Extension and Training, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, and Mr. Chukiat Rakson, Special Advisor to the Director of the Extension and Training Office, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus as well as 9 participants from the Republic of Niger and 2 participants from Burkina Faso.

Mr. Wongsurawat expressed his appreciation for both countries’ interest and participation in the training program. He stated that Thailand, as a country of deeply-rooted agricultural tradition marking national identity, and one of the first Asian nations to have excelled in rice production, recognises Africa’s great potentials in advancing its agricultural sector to respond to the food security needs. He also emphasised Thailand’s readiness to support and promote food security, especially through investments in agroindustries and food processing in Africa, which can further strengthen the food security in Africa as well as in the larger context of the international community.

Moreover, he also expressed sincere appreciation to Kasetsart University for its continued partnership in supporting Thailand’s agricultural collaboration with the African region. In this regard, he reiterated Thailand’s relentless commitment towards advancing cooperation with Africa. In addition, Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), under the Royal Thai Government, also plays an indispensable role in advancing cooperation and exchanges of academic knowledge through different means, such as scholarships and fellowships for government officials, as well as online and on-site training programs for African representatives, focusing on different areas in agriculture of Thailand’s expertise.