The Deputy Minister of Agriculture delivered policy directives to the Department of Sericulture, emphasizing the 4S strategy to elevate Thai silk on the global stage by leveraging AI and Big Data technologies to help farmers increase value and income.
Mr. Watcharapol Khawkhum, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He said after chairing the policy meeting on sericulture that silk is a key mission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, linking production, local wisdom, Thai culture, and community economy. This aligns with the government’s "Innovative Agriculture for Sustainable Thai Farmers" policy, which aims to use modern technology and knowledge to improve farmers’ quality of life.
Therefore, Thai silk is not merely an agricultural product or fabric but a cultural heritage reflecting the finesse and lifestyle of Thai people passed down for centuries, combined with the royal initiative. “Enjoy Wearing Thai Fabric” by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, which aims to create a modern image for Thai fabric, making it accessible and wearable in daily life.
“I believe that if we can blend Thailand’s valuable traditional wisdom with innovation, modern technology, and limitless creativity, Thai silk will not only be a cultural heritage to be proud of but will also become a future industry that creates jobs, income, and national pride, enabling Thai silk to confidently step onto the global stage.”Mr. Watcharapol said.
Mr. Watcharapol added that currently the agricultural and Thai silk industries face challenges such as climate change, production costs, economic volatility, and global market competition. Therefore, he has tasked the Department of Sericulture to operate systematically as the “upstream” agency of this industry by driving efforts through the 4S strategy, which includes: “Upstream” of this industry, driving efforts through the 4S strategy, which includes:
S1 Standard & Soul Standards lead, wisdom supports: focusing on developing standards for Thai silk, especially the royal peacock trademark, to gain international recognition. Accelerating the registration of geographical indications (GI) and creating a Digital Book to compile traditional wisdom knowledge.
S2 Smart Farmer & Smart Generation Developing new-generation farmers and supporting grassroots by addressing urgent issues such as access to production costs and climate impacts. Ensuring farmers have access to quality mulberry varieties and silkworms evenly. Accelerating the creation of Young Smart Farmers and providing technology transfer training in four regions through a coaching system to make the profession modern, stable, and respected for new generations.
S3 Science & Solution Innovative solutions to increase value by applying AI and Big Data technologies for production planning and pest disease warning systems. Extending silkworm protein into high-value products including cosmetics, medical, and dietary supplements.
“AI and Big Data will be key tools to upgrade Thailand's sericulture industry because Thailand has extensive knowledge and data scattered across various areas. If these can be systematically collected and developed into a central database, it will support farmers in production planning, selecting suitable varieties, and managing cultivation to match local conditions and weather with greater accuracy.” Mr. Watcharapol said.
S4 Style & Sustainability Contemporary style generating community income: aiming to change the perception of silk fabric to be accessible to all ages and genders under the concept “Enjoy Wearing Thai Fabric,” which can be worn daily. Thai silk and the royal peacock trademark will be rebranded with a modern image to suit urban lifestyles and young people perfectly.
“My top priority is the mulberry farmers and silkworm raisers because they still face many challenges such as climate impact, access to water, capital, and production factors. Therefore, the urgent policy of the ministry and Department of Sericulture is to support these basic needs so farmers can sustain their livelihoods and improve their quality of life effectively. Collaboration with related agencies will be integrated to support water management, soil development, and access to necessary production factors, enabling farmers to be ready for production and handle challenges efficiently,” Mr. Watcharapol said.
. Mr. Saranyu Phullap, Director-General of the Department of Sericulture, said the Department is ready to implement the policy concretely by accelerating the production and distribution of quality mulberry and silkworm eggs for farmers' easy access. At the same time, they will enhance the image of Thai silk and sericulture products with a contemporary look to meet domestic and international market demands, increasing income for farmers and communities. They will also promote the royal peacock trademark Thai silk for international recognition, strengthening the economy while preserving and advancing Thai sericulture wisdom sustainably.
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