Apisit Buranakanonda
Senior Consultant, Thailand
Apisit Buranakanonda is an accomplished agricultural professional with over 35 years of experience in livestock production, policy advocacy, and agricultural education. His extensive background spans various roles, including editorial leadership, consultancy, reporting, and research. Throughout his career, Apisit has made significant contributions to the agricultural sector in Thailand and beyond, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and public awareness.
Apisit’s unwavering dedication to agriculture and public policy was evident early on. He diligently pursued higher education, obtaining a Bachelor of Political Science from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, in 1983. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Natural Resources Management (MSc) from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, in 1991 and a Master of Public Policies (MPP) from the National University of Singapore in 1994.
Apisit’s career began as an Agricultural Extension Officer with the Highland Agriculture Extension Services Office, where he promoted sustainable farming practices and introduced mixed cropping models to tribal farmers in highland areas from 1985 to 1988. He then served as a Fishery Extension Officer for Thailand’s Department of Fisheries and FAO, assisting small-scale fisheries in accessing credit and promoting sustainable fishing practices from 1988 to 1992.
His foray into journalism and reporting began with his role as a Reporter and Rewriter at Bangkok Post Post Publishing Plc from 1994 to 2003. Here, he covered critical sectors such as business, finance, money markets, personal investment, and agroindustry, providing in-depth reports on macroeconomic events and controversial issues like genetically modified crops.
Apisit’s most notable role came as the Editor of Feed and Livestock Magazine, Thailand’s first bilingual agriculture magazine, from 2003 to 2023. Under his leadership, the magazine grew its subscriber base significantly and became a key source of information on agro-industry news, feed technology, animal production, nutrition, and food safety. He also led the magazine’s efforts in exploring antibiotic substitutes and highlighting the importance of feed safety and transparency.
From 2020 to 2022, Apisit served as a Consultant for the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a role that allowed him to compile commodity data and author trend analyses. His work assisted the US soybean industry in understanding Thailand’s market dynamics, showcasing his international experience and expertise.
Throughout his career, Apisit has strongly advocated for sustainable farming practices, innovative livestock production, and effective policy advocacy. He has conducted pivotal research on disease prevention, feed efficiency, and climate resilience in the livestock industry. His work has improved the quality and safety of agricultural products and enhanced the livelihoods of farmers and small-scale fisheries.
Apisit has established close working relationships with key animal health, livestock, genetics companies, and industry associations, fostering collaboration and innovation. His efforts in public awareness campaigns have raised significant attention to the challenges and opportunities within the livestock industry.
Apisit Buranakanonda’s dedication to agriculture, policy advocacy, and education has left a lasting impact on the industry. His leadership, research, and advocacy work have paved the way for more sustainable and innovative practices in livestock production. Apisit continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of agricultural professionals, ensuring the continued growth and development of the sector.