Bangkok, Thailand — Eight representatives of SorKorPor, an AFA member organization in Thailand, went on a study tour in the Netherlands last June 18 – 24, 2006 with the support of Agriterra and ZLTO, a farmers’ organization in South Netherlands. The delegation was led by SorKorpor Chairperson and AFA Vice-Chairperson Ms. Sudaporn Sittisathapornkul.
The study tour was organized as part of SorKorPor’s efforts towards organizational strengthening and relation building with the government through policy development and lobbying. The program allowed an exchange of experiences and ideas
between SorKorPor and ZLTO. ZLTO has partnered with Sor Kor Por since its formation years in the 1990’s, as part of the former’s development cooperation and north-south solidarity programs.
Before going to the Netherlands, the group and the Secretary General of SorKorPor met Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Counsellor Mr. Rubert Konijn at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bangkok on June 6. The meeting was held to introduce SorKorPor as a Thai farmers’ organization and establish cooperation and good relationship for future endeavors and possible support.
ZLTO Chairperson Mr. Antoon Vermeer presented to SorKorPor the history, goals, and structure of ZLTO and LTO, and the developments in the past two years. This was followed by a tour of the ZLTO building where the group looked at the operations of each department and learned about the hot issue on the government’s policy on Manure and Minerals. SorKorPor learned that ZLTO aims at influencing policies and establishing relationships not only with its own government, but with the EU as well.
During the field visit, the group met Ms. Nicole Lemlijn, Member of the Board of the Municipality at Town Hall of Deurne; Mr.Ger Koopmans, Member of Parliament for CDA at the Parliament; and Mr.Peter Munters, Officer of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality at the Minister’s Office in Hague. They discussed the relations of local policies and policy making with the cooperation of ZLTO and members of political parties at the local level.
SorKorPor also visited the projects of ZLTO’s members, such as the pig farm, dairy farm and Mr.Wim Korst’s farm at Steenbergen. They also saw how planting in a glass house is being done. The Dutch farmers invest in machines and use high technology in their farms and have good knowledge on farm management and marketing.
The group also had an opportunity to attend the General Meeting of ZLTO where Ms. Sudaporn gave a speech. She presented SorKorPor’s tsunami project and thanked ZLTO for its support to SorKorPor. On behalf of AFA, she also thanked ZLTO and Agriterra their support to the Asian farmers’ movement.
See more photos here and here.
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