Issues related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Rice Cultivation in Thailand compared to Japan

Abstract

 Thailand is becoming increasingly aware of the need to adopt sustainable agriculture, particularly the importance of a strategic role of rice cultivation. This assignment highlights the specific challenges in sustainability and which of the Six Transformations should be employed to be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of sustainable agriculture of rice cultivation by 2030 as set out by the United Nations. In comparing Thai rice farmers with those from advanced economy countries such as Japan will help us to perceive and reflect our strengths and weaknesses of our traditional rice cultivation and perhaps find the ways to overcome challenges, we are facing such as farmers’ debts, climate change, and income inequality. This study focuses on Thai farmers in particular on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission, water management, labour, innovation, and sustainability. The article also gives a very brief mentioning about what are the trade-offs in relation to the nation’s status-quo as a world’s rice exporter country if Thailand is to change to more sustainable rice cultivation practices. The government must urgently take actions to tackle the inevitable events of climate change, income inequalities, and sustainability. The nation must adopt essential measures and sustainable agriculture policies to ensure the rights of small landholders and farmers, build resilience to prevent, anticipate, and prepare for disasters, because we will not leave someone behind.