Among the highlights of the 3rd Joint Agricultural Working Group between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Philippines (3rd TH-PH JAWG) are the learning visits to two selected farms in Thailand on July 23, 2025. These include the visit to the Prakob Giant Prawn Farm in Bang Phae District, Ratchaburi Province, and the KR Goldfish Farm at Tha Pha Sub-District, Ban Pong District, Katchaburi Province.
The Prakob Giant Prawn Farm produces 150 Tons per year of male-only prawns. According to the owner, Mr. Rosenbergii, it is the first prawn hatchery farm in Thailand to receive Geographical Indications (GI) certification. GI is a sign indicating that a product has a specific geographical origin and possesses qualities or reputation that are linked to such origin. The owner also stated that their objective in five years is to export the number one microbiome from Thailand by endeavoring to have good soil, good water, and knowledgeable farmers. The prawns in this farm are ready for export. The farm employs environmentally friendly farming and a hatchery.
As to the KR Goldfish Farm, the delegates were informed that it is breeding only Ranchu and Oranda Gold Fish breeds. It employs environmental fish farming and exports to 50 (fifty) countries, which includes China, Hong Kong (China), Korea, USA, Taiwan, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, among others.
These farms, although privately owned, are good benchmarks and models of enterprises that can be operated by cooperatives, particularly in the engagement of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
The Philippine delegation was guided by the team of the MOAC Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tawon Thunjai. It was headed by Assistant Secretary Noel A. Padre of the Department of Agriculture. Members are representatives from the Philippine Carabao Center-DA, National Dairy Authority (NDA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-DA, Bureau of Soils and Water Management-DA, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). The CDA was represented by its Deputy Administrator for Institutional Development Service (IDS), Ray R. Elevazo. The facilitation and coordination between the Philippines and Thailand counterparts was made by the Philippine Agriculture Office, Embassy of the Philippines, Bangkok, Thailand. (RR Elevazo, CDA-IDS)
