One factor of human security is food security which will exist when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food security needs abundant and security natural resources which is the source of food system and factor in food production.  These include soil, water, forest and biodiversity.  However, farmers, as producers, should own these factors since farmers are those who create country and world food security.  Farmers are also the one who determine country capacity in producing adequate food.

Food security of Thai people is threatening by the change of producing system which focus mainly and only on economic.  Changing from “sufficient agriculture” to producing for “trade” has threatened capacity of farmers in producing food and led them to depend mainly on outside factors.  Farmers’ right to self-determination is violated.

Although Thailand has exported agriculture product cost USD 10,486.4 million in 2005, however, 6 million farmer families have been in debt.  The overall debt is more than 500,000 million baht.  Most of the products by Thai farmers were sold in lower price.  Middlemen determine the price, while farmers do not have any power to negotiate. Unjust contract farming, free trade, and patents cause farmers to lose their capacity in self reliance as producers.  As a consumer, most of farmers are poor and find it difficult to find adequate, diversity and quality food.

ActionAid Thailand has been working on the food security issue with our partners both at national and international levels.  Our mission focuses on raising public awareness, campaigning for fair trade while our ultimate goal is that farmers are able to exercise their right to self determination with dignity.