Page 62 - FoodFocusThailand No.240 April 2026

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OPEN FOOD SCIENCE FOR THAILAND:

A STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT TO TRANSFORM THE FOOD WORKFORCE

TOWARD A “SUSTAINABLE FUTURE GLOBAL KITCHEN” BY 2035

Thailand’s food industry is caught in a “middle-income trap,” driven by cost-based competition and low
value-added production, resulting in limited innovation . At the same time, over 80% of high-value food
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products are imported, highlighting a critical innovation gap.

The Low-Value Trap That Thailand Must Break Outcome: Thailand gains a credible workforce brand on the
Free From global stage—competing on verified competence rather than
This challenge is intensified by a “Triple Threat” consisting of: academic credentials alone.
1) A food security crisis driven by climate change, which 4. Human-Centered: Value Unlock and Inclusive Growth
severely affects crop yields and food safety . Principle: OFS recognizes the potential of all individuals and
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2) A health crisis stemming from the rising burden of non- aims to unlock hidden value in the current workforce .
communicable diseases (NCDs), accelerating the demand for Mechanism: The credit bank system recognition of prior
personalized nutrition. learning (RPL) and enables learners to stack micro-credentials to
3) A skills crisis as Thailand transitions toward a high- upskill, reskill, or transition careers effectively and formally.
value food economy powered by AI, digital technologies, and Outcome: Lifelong learning becomes accessible to all, promoting
biotechnology—creating an urgent gap in high-skilled human inclusive, equitable, and sustainable workforce growth.
resources . Thailand’s Future Food Workforce Competency
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These structural challenges demand a new, future-proof Framework
blueprint for developing Thailand’s food workforce. According to the National Future Skills Set , OFS outlines four key
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competency clusters:
Open Food Science (OFS): Definition and Strategic 1. Advanced Food Science and Technology: Food tech,
Blueprint Biotechnology, AI, IoT for food factories, personalized nutrition,
Open Food Science (OFS) is a modern workforce development medical foods, and food supplements.
model that extends the concept of Open Innovation and aligns 2. Food Innovation and Business: Design thinking, business
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with the principles of “Thailand Open Science for All” . It aims to model innovation, and innovation management .
build an open learning ecosystem—a system that integrates 3. Global Standards and Modern Food Safety Systems:
formal education, industry needs, market demands, emerging Alignment with Codex, EU regulations, and the US FDA.
technologies, and professional certification. The goal is to 4. Transversal Skills: Analytical thinking, digital literacy, agile
cultivate a high-quality workforce capable of driving Thailand working, and leadership.
toward a “Sustainable Future Global Kitchen 2035” . OFS Three Learning Pathways
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shifts the paradigm from activity-based training to systemic 1. Academic Track: For students seeking deeper scientific
workforce transformation, guided by four strategic principles: expertise.
1. Systemic Thinking: Structural Reform and Governance 2. Professional Track: For workforce upskilling and reskilling.
Principle: OFS tackles the workforce gap through a 3. Career Change Track: For individuals entering the food sector
systemic approach, rather than isolated or siloed solutions that with essential foundational competencies.
separate education, industry, and professional bodies .
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Mechanism: It empowers the network of food professional Three-Tier Steering Mechanism for OFS
associations to serve as the standards-governing body, Implementation
ensuring an adaptive and industry-aligned talent pipeline. 1. Policy Steering Committee: Defines the national direction
It also embraces “Open Science” to enhance transparency and and aligns OFS with major policies, including BCG, S-Curve, and
equitable access to scientific knowledge . Food for Fiuture 2
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2. Market-Back Approach: Competencies That Reflect 2. Competency & Standards Working Group: Designs
Real Market Demand competency frameworks, modular curricula, career pathways, and
Principle: Workforce development must start from actual international standard alignment.
market demand—not from supply-driven educational structures. 3. Operational & Data Integration Team (Credit Bank):
Mechanism: OFS uses competency-based curriculum Implements the system, develops the digital Credit Bank, and
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design linked to Thailand’s national future skills set issued by integrates real-time workforce data for responsive policymaking .
the National Science, Research, and Innovation Policy Council . Together, they operate as an “Adaptive Policy Loop”—ensuring
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Goal: To produce a workforce with strong product–market Thailand’s workforce system remains dynamic and future-ready.
fit in emerging fields such as precision fermentation, AI-driven Open Food Science is a strategic blueprint for systemic human
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food safety, personalized food design, alternative proteins, and capital reform , aimed at helping Thailand move beyond low-value
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open innovation models . food production and develop a new generation of innovators for the
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3. Brand-Driven: A “Quality Seal” for Global Recognition global food economy. Achieving the “Sustainable Future Global
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Principle: The professional association’s brand functions as Kitchen 2035” vision requires cross-sector collaboration to elevate
a national quality seal for food workforce excellence. workforce standards and strengthen Thailand’s global leadership in
Mechanism: Competency certification reflects real job sustainable food innovation.
performance standards and aligns with international benchmarks
such as Codex, EU regulations, and US FDA standards .
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