In May, the AJFVC Project team successfully conducted a field visit to Thailand and Cambodia to support ongoing activities under Output 1: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). This visit provided a valuable opportunity to engage with local partners and lay the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at enhancing GAP implementation.

In Thailand, the team collaborated with counterparts to prepare for the “Experience-Sharing Workshop” scheduled in October 2025. Thailand is actively promoting Quality Good Agricultural Practices (QGAP) certified vegetables and fruits through strategic collaborations with food business operators (FBOs), supermarkets, restaurants, and trading companies. The success of these initiatives reflects the proactive efforts of various government institutions tailored to meet specific needs.

During their visit, the team explored the planned workshop venue in Chiang Mai, a city known for hosting events and attracting many tourists. This location engages various stakeholders in the QGAP certification process, including growers, producers, entrepreneurs, foundations, government institutions, and organizations dedicated to advancing QGAP. By sharing knowledge of past and current governmental initiatives and observing ongoing practices in Chiang Mai, the team aims to provide valuable references for other ASEAN member states (AMS), which will help enhance GAP adoption across the region and improve their respective action programs.

Mr. Khanabhot Ghosinvigrome, an Agricultural Technical Officer from the Department of Agriculture in Thailand, stated, “We are pleased to provide opportunities for all ASEAN colleagues to learn from Thailand’s experiences.”

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, Hiroshi Yoshimura, the team leader of AJFVC Output 1 GAP, participated in the Expert Working Group on ASEAN Good Agricultural Practices (EWG-GAP) meeting. He introduced a draft action program for promoting ASEAN GAP and discussed the concept of the ASEAN GAP Logo, which was developed in collaboration with project counterparts.

As part of Output 1, both the counterparts and the team are actively implementing pilot activities based on the drafted action programs in each AMS. These trials are designed to identify best practices and challenges in GAP promotion, which will be reflected in the upcoming ASEAN GAP Action Program. The final version of this program is expected to be completed by 2026, marking a significant step forward in enhancing agricultural practices throughout the region.