By Dr Santhad Rojanasoonthon, Chairman of Research Committee, Royal Project Foundation
FAO Representative-Mr. Keith Chapman, Distinguish Guests, Friends from Asian Region, Coffee lovers, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to chair this opening session of the 'First Asian Regional Round Table on Sustainable Organic/Specialty coffee Production, Processing and Marketing' today. For our foreign friends, I am very grateful to you for coming here today and to FAO for supporting and entrusting The Royal Project Foundation to organise this meeting.
Coffee is one of the most important crops of Thailand. It is grown by many farmers in the Southern region-Robusta coffee, and here in Northern Thailand the Arabica coffee is cultivated by hilltribe farmers of many villages.
Statistical data show that Thailand exported 22,704 metric tons of coffee in 1987 and this increased to 65,604 metric tons in 1997. The average annual growth rate has been around 10%. This figure indicates the importance of coffee in Thai economy. The Royal Project Foundation foresees this point and has formed a 'Committee on Coffee Research and Extension', to tackle problems confronting development of coffee production by farmers in the Royal Project area. Varietal improvement by breeding and selection has been studied by researchers of the Royal Project for almost 21 years. I am sure that my colleagues from the Royal Project will share their experiences and contribute a fruitful discussion with you in this meeting.
The theme of ‘Sustainable Organic/Specialty coffee Production, Processing and Marketing’ is appropriate particularly in this 21st century when organic health food is in great demand in the world market. As growers, we must put more effort in to finding appropriate techniques with low production costs as well as conserving or improving the environment. The technology in coffee processing, roasting etc. can not be neglected, as consumers are seeking high quality products and research on marketing is becoming increasingly important.
It is most fortunate that, assembled at this meeting, we have many distinguished people well experienced on coffee, who are willing and eager to exchange their knowledge and experience. I am certain that we are all gathered here for a common and worthy cause, that is produce better coffee and better living condition for our kind of growers who are often poor. At this assembly, I hope that participants will make their experiences known and share them to achieve common objectives.
However, in my view, this is not the sole benefit to be derived from this meeting, for at an event like this, not only can new acquaintances be made and many old ones strengthened, but also a dialogue for further cooperation among participants will be established not merely on a national basis but on regional and international ones as well.
Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now the auspicious moment for this First Asian Regional Round Table on Sustainable Organic/Specialty coffee Production, Processing and Marketing, to run its course. I hereby declare this meeting open. May I wish all of you a pleasant stay in Thailand and especially this beautiful city, Chiang Mai, as well as a very productive and successful meeting.
Thank you
