Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group has launched a system to trace the origin of corn used in the production of animal feed.

According to the group, this system ensures that no corn is derived from forest encroachment or stubble burning. The company implemented corn traceability in Thailand in 2017 and further extended the system to its overseas operations including Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam in 2020.

Paisarn Kruawongvanich, CEO of CP Group’s Feed Ingredients Trading Business Group (FIT), said, “CP Group opposes the cultivation of maize for animal feed that may cause wildfires and slash-and-burn activities at the cultivated areas. The company has developed a corn feed traceability system to purchase corn that can be traced to land areas with title deeds and without forest invasions.

“We have collaborated with all parties to implement this system to ensure that corn used for animal feed can be traced, and we have improved the system by incorporating a satellite imaging technology that can detect burning planting plots so that we can jointly manage the problem effectively.”

The company encourages Thai maize farmers to register with the "For Farm" program and authenticate their identity. It also gives farmers advice about not burning their crops or how to use the stubble. Blockchain technology also helps to improve the efficiency and transparency of agricultural raw material traceability to plantation areas.

CP Group’s "Self-Sufficient Farmers, Sustainable Corn" project aims to share plantation knowledge and techniques with corn farmers to increase output and quality while simultaneously reducing dust generated by agriculture.

Since 2008, the company said it stopped activities with seed sellers who were engaging in forest encroachment, planting on property without valid titles, and crop burning. The "Farm Pro" project, which was conducted by CP Group, aims to promote and assist smallholder farmers who cultivate maize on legally permitted land to increase their production and efficiency and do away with crop stubble burning.