One egg, many futures: Providing opportunities for Thai youth

The root cause is unequal access to nutritious food, particularly in remote and underserved communities. This issue goes beyond hunger. It represents a gradual erosion of the nation’s future human capital.

Eggs: A Simple Answer to Nutrition

In response, the Charoen Pokphand Group, through the Charoen Pokphand Foundation for Rural Life Development, has followed the royal initiative of
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to promote nutrition among children in remote areas.

Launched in 1989, the program enables rural schools to raise laying hens independently, with students participating under teacher supervision. The result is a steady supply of fresh, safe, and high-quality eggs for school lunches. 

CPF contributes its expertise in animal husbandry by transferring knowledge, introducing technologies, and providing poultry housing, hens, feed for the first production cycle, and continuous support from livestock officers.

The impact is measurable: average egg consumption among participating students rose from 156 eggs/person/year to 276, up more than 77%.

Beyond Donations: Building a Sustainable System

The program’s strength lies not in giving chickens, but in creating a self-sustaining model. Under the ‘one-time investment, long-term continuity’ concept, schools generate income by selling surplus eggs and spent hens.

These revenues form a revolving fund, exceeding USD 3000 from the first production cycle and growing by about USD 1000/cycle. Schools then purchase new hens and feed at cost prices, without relying on external support.

Some schools, such as Ratchaprachanukroh School 47 in Phetchaburi and Border Patrol Police School Ban Pa Mak in Prachuap Khiri Khan, have sustained the program for decades, evolving into community learning centers.

Pride in participation

Som-O, a Grade 5 student at Wat Bang Pit Lang School in Trat Province, began raising hens in Grade 3. She says she has learned responsibility and feels proud knowing that eggs she helped produce are served to her classmates. Her favorite dish is braised eggs, which she says are both delicious and nutritious.

Impact beyond school lunches

Today, the program covers 1018 schools across 74 provinces, benefiting 229,673 students, 17,473 teachers and staff, and 2690 communities.

It also creates employment opportunities for 535 persons with disabilities, who are hired by CPF as assistant poultry caretakers in schools within their own communities. This promotes inclusion and social equity.

Advancing toward digital agriculture

CPF has upgraded selected model schools by introducing IoT systems and real-time monitoring applications to manage housing conditions, water, lighting, and temperature.

These technologies reduce costs, improve productivity, and expose students to modern agricultural practices. As a result, participating schools function not only as egg producers but also as Action-Based Learning centers, providing hands-on education in farming, management, and sustainability.

From schools to communities

Each participating school also serves as a community learning hub, sharing knowledge on poultry farming, fund management, and waste-to-organic fertilizer practices.

Schools become local food hubs—strengthening community food security and building resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems.

One egg, many futures

An egg from the CP Egg-Laying Hens Program is more than a school lunch item.
It is an investment in the nation’s intellectual and human capital.

One egg, given with care by CP and CPF, helps ensure Thai children eat well, grow strong, and develop with dignity—becoming capable contributors to society and the country’s future.