Mekong Institute (MI) is organizing a 5-day structured learning visit on “Farming Systems in Thailand” from January 24 – 28, 2012 for 20 staff of the Northern Uplands Rice-Based Farming Systems Research Project (NURiFaR), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR.

The program is tailored for senior to middle-level government officials of central and provincial government agencies who are involved in promoting agriculture value chains and aims to expose participants to the best practices and techniques of various farming systems in Thailand, with special focus on rice, maize and peanut.

In this context, visits to a Sufficiency Economy Village, Khon Kaen Rice Seed Center, a Community Rice Seed Promotion and Production Center, the Agricultural Central Rice Market, a private rice mill, a maize seed company and a peanut producer group will be arranged for the participants.