Honouring a legacy of leadership and innovation

The Land Development Department’s remarkable achievements demonstrate its global leadership in integrating science, policy, and communitydriven initiatives to enhance soil health. From fostering food security and climate resilience to bolstering international collaboration, LDD’s initiatives and work are a model for the region and the whole world.

This tradition of soil stewardship is deeply rooted in the vision of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a pioneering soil scientist and advocate for sustainable development. His leadership inspired the country efforts to combat soil degradation and ensure the wellbeing of Thai farmers. The late King’s contributions, including the establishment of the Volunteer Soil Doctors programme, continue to guide the department’s innovative strategies and underline Thailand's commitment to SSM.

A legacy of sustainable innovation

At the local and national level, LDD’s efforts include training over 77 000 Volunteer Soil Doctors, who mentor nearly 3.8 million farmers across Thailand, covering 12 million hectares of agricultural land. These programmes have reduced chemical fertilizer use by 30 percent, lowered costs by 33 percent, and increased farmer incomes by 20 percent, making a tangible impact on food security and environmental sustainability.

The department invests approximately USD 140 million annually in cuttingedge research on SSM, emphasizing precision agriculture, carbon sequestration, and droughtresistant crops. By blending traditional knowledge with modern science, LDD has pioneered costeffective and ecofriendly practices that support sustainable farming.

Driving regional and global collaboration

Beyond Thailand’s borders, LDD has established itself as a key force in regional cooperation. It plays a lead role in initiatives such as the LancangMekong Cooperation (LMC), AyeyawadyChao PhrayaMekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and the Center of Excellence for Soil Research in Asia (CESRA), enhancing sustainable soil and water management across Southeast Asia.

At global level, LDD has left a transformative mark through its leadership in the establishment of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and the declaration of the International Year of Soils (IYS) 2015 and World Soil Day (WSD) by the United Nations General Assembly. These initiatives have brought soil health to the forefront of international development agendas, raising awareness about its critical role in food security and climate resilience.

Educating future generations

The Land Development Department’s integration of soil health education into 5 200 schools nationwide underscores its commitment to nurturing future stewards of sustainable farming. The department’s sponsorship of the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award further reinforces its dedication to recognizing and fostering excellence in SSM practices globally.

A prestigious award

The Glinka World Soil Prize, established in 2016, celebrates individuals and organizations that provide innovative solutions to combat soil degradation and improve food security. Previous winners include:

• Instituto Geografico Augustin Codazzi (Colombia) in 2016.
• Argentine NoTill Farmers Association (Argentina) in 2017.
• Rattan Lal (United States of America) in 2018.
• Xu Minggang (China) in 2019.
• Luca Montanarella (European Commission) in 2020.
• LydieStella Koutika (Congo) in 2021.
• Ashok Kumar Patra (India) in 2022.
• Ravi Naidu (India) in 2023.

As the 2024 recipient, Thailand’s LDD joins this illustrious record, further solidifying its position as a global leader in the preservation and restoration of one of the planet’s most vital resource: soil.