Chonburi: The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) visited Thung Hiang Pittayakhom School in Chonburi Province as part of the "Kaset Thanakorn School" project, a new initiative aimed at transforming agriculture from a subsistence activity to a commercial enterprise while equipping young students with modern agricultural skills.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paisarn Hongthong, Deputy Managing Director of BAAC, along with other executives, visited the school located in Mon Nang Subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom District, to oversee the implementation of this pilot project. Thung Hiang Pittayakhom School is one of 18 selected schools nationwide participating in the initiative, which seeks to prepare youth, including the descendants of farmers, to enter the agricultural sector and replace an aging workforce. The program aims to provide students with comprehensive training in agricultural trade, financial management, savings, investment, and marketing through a mix of theoretical and practical activities.
The project, launched on September 1, 2025, with BAAC funding, has involved over 200 students at Thung Hiang Pittayakhom School. The school has developed its agricultural infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of greenhouses, vegetable gardens, and facilities for mushroom and hydroponic vegetable cultivation. Additionally, they have established areas for catfish farming, banana plantations, and a demonstration plot. The school has also engaged in raising chickens and producing compost from organic waste. The produce is sold in local markets, benefiting students through earned income, which is reinvested in agricultural development and savings as part of the BAAC School Banking Project. This initiative aims to instill money management skills and consistent savings habits among students.
The BAAC Thanakorn School Project supports schools in four key areas: infrastructure funding, agricultural knowledge promotion, savings system development, and marketing and distribution channels. The project will pilot in 27 schools during fiscal year 2025, impacting over 7,795 young people. By fostering a deep appreciation for farming, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs capable of sustaining the sector and generating stable income.