A field mission, as part of the midterm review of ADB TA-9993, took place from 28th to 29th June 2023. This mission was led by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Executive Director, Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, accompanied by ADB Thailand Resident Mission Country Director, Mr. Anouj Mehta, Senior Project Officer Ms. Oranuch Jetwattana, and TA-9993 Project Officer Dr. Srinivasan Ancha. The team visited Nan Province for an in-depth review of the project’s progress.
In the course of their mission, the ADB team also convened with the Governor of Nan Province, Mr. Wiboon Waewbandit. Comprehensive discussions took place regarding the progression and future outlook of the Technical Assistance (TA) project. Dr. Nathsuda Pumijumnong, the TA team leader, along with Capacity Building Specialist Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, represented the TA team, providing an update on pilot demonstrations and discussing the TA outputs.
The mission was a resounding success, characterized by comprehensive field observation visits. A myriad of questions was posed by the ADB Executive Director and the Country Director, focusing on the bankability and return on investment of current activities and prospective future investments.
Dr. Nathsuda skillfully addressed technical inquiries, highlighting key challenges and proposing viable solutions, with Dr. Srini providing additional technical insights.
A central aim of the ADB mission was to explore future investment opportunities in Thailand. There is significant interest from the Director to expand projects in regions such as Nan and the northern sub-regions.
Key topics during the visit included the development of Nan’s coffee industry and strengthening the ecotourism sector. The team also discussed potential solutions to the water pollution issue in the Haeng River, such as the introduction of a pollution screening system to protect downstream ecosystems.
The mission included an examination of TA-9993’s economic viability, returns to the economy, and the potential for scaling up to increase impact. Discussions also revolved around the possible replication of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) across Thailand.
The team was impressed by the significant role of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), supply chains, and the private sector in ensuring sustainability. It was agreed that the TA has the capacity to serve as a springboard for future enhancement of supply chains.
The team also noted that the project aligns well with the provincial strategic plan, ensuring the possibility of local budget allocation for sustainable development under the governor’s chairmanship.
The visit to Bua Yai, Nan Province, forms part of a series of midterm review missions conducted by the ADB to evaluate the progress and plan for the future of TA-9993. The project continues to make steady strides towards achieving its intended goals, marking another step forward in sustainable development in the region.