Royal Irrigation Department Partners with UNDP to Transform Agriculture in Yom-Nan Basin Against Climate Crisis

The Royal Irrigation Department is partnering with UNDP to link business partners and revolutionize agriculture in the Yom-Nan basin to combat climate change. On March 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at The Imperial Hotel Convention in Phitsanulok, Deputy Governor Nisit Sawatdithep hosted the "Business Matching and Agricultural Cooperation Forum for Climate Change Resilience in the Yom-Nan Basin." The event was opened by Neeve Collier-Smith, representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand, alongside Lapinakorn Chatavangs from the Royal Irrigation Department, administrators from the Regional Irrigation Office 3, representatives from Naresuan University, and participants from government, private sector, financial institutions, and educational bodies from Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.

The Yom-Nan river basin, covering Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit provinces, is a critical agricultural production area facing challenges from volatile climate conditions, including intensifying drought and flooding. The forum emphasized the need to develop resilient agricultural approaches through knowledge sharing, technology, innovation, and systematic water management, coupled with market linkages and capital access. The event focused on knowledge exchange, networking, and strengthening collaboration between farmers, government agencies, private sector, and educational institutions to enhance agricultural potential and build sustainable food security.

Morning sessions featured special presentations on farmers' climate change adaptation, emphasizing shared responsibility across all sectors. Water management was highlighted as fundamental to agricultural climate adaptation. The afternoon included panel discussions on products and cooperation opportunities, featuring representatives from the three provinces presenting agricultural outputs in three categories: food products and raw materials, non-food products and raw materials, and handicrafts. The program concluded with business matching sessions, network building, and development cooperation initiatives to systematically promote product development and market expansion for farmers and community enterprises in the project areas.