On October 14, 2025, the research project “Study on Local Food System Indicators in Thailand” organized a meeting titled “Feedback and Discussion on Local Food System Indicators” in Phatthalung Province. The meeting was conducted by the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, with support from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).
The session was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jongjit Rittirong, Deputy Director for Research, who also serves as the project leader. She presided over the opening ceremony and warmly welcomed participants from government agencies, local administrative organizations, village health volunteers, and partner networks in the area. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Pattraporn Chuenglertsiri, Ms. Pimolpan Nitnara, and Ms. Thanaporn Kirdkaew.
The meeting aimed to share the study findings, exchange perspectives, and discuss potential approaches to strengthen local food systems. Case studies focused on Khok Muang Subdistrict and Han Pho Subdistrict of Phatthalung Province, emphasizing local food safety, food security, and sustainable resource use. The discussions also highlighted how food system indicators could be contextualized and applied within different community settings.
During the discussion session, community representatives presented key challenges and potential solutions, such as:
- Khok Muang Subdistrict: Challenges included food safety concerns, agricultural chemical use, and water management. Suggested solutions involved promoting self-reliance, reducing chemical dependency, and conserving local plant varieties.
- Han Pho Subdistrict: Major issues included food waste, flooding, and reduced food-growing areas due to expansion of cash crops. Recommended strategies focused on community-based water management, composting from food waste, and developing local product markets.
In addition, participants proposed future directions, including:
- Developing “Self-Reliant Community Plans” and integrating them into local development strategies.
- Promoting the establishment of “Safe Food Subdistrict Charters.”
- Conducting continuous indicator monitoring to assess progress.
- Strengthening coordination between government and local agencies to ensure sufficient food and health-related budgeting.
This meeting served as an important platform for multi-sectoral learning and collaboration, laying the groundwork for developing context-specific local food systems that support Thailand’s broader food security goals.
The project represents a key mechanism empowering communities to assess their situations, analyze challenges, and formulate concrete development pathways, ultimately contributing to the vision of “Phatthalung: The City of Happiness” and serving as a national model for sustainablelocal food system development.
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