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Approaches
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Strengthening Farmers' Self-grouping Participation in Organic Rice Production [Thailand]

approaches_4201 - Thailand

Completeness: 100%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Samsee Mun

Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmer Group)

Ban Sok, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province 35140

Thailand

land user:

Kaewsai Pongmarin

+66-81-2383883

Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmer Group)

45 Moo 4, Ban Pawai, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province

Thailand

land user:

Polchai Moon

Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmer Group)

66 Moo 2, Ban Sokkumpoon, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province

Thailand

land user:

Thongnoi Kumfong

Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmer Group)

40 Moo 2, Ban Sokkumpoon, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province

Thailand

SLM specialist:

Namsai Yutthasong

Yuthasong2559@gmail.com

Land Development Office Region 4

SLM specialist:

Sangkeaw Kanyaporn

Kanyaporn8488@gmail.com

Land Development Office Region 4

SLM specialist:

Hansugjaijareon Kanokwan

Kanokwanhans@gmail.com

Land Development Office Region 4

SLM specialist:

Kaoya Putchanee

putchanee99@gmail.com

Land Development Office Region 4

Thailand

national consultant:

Arunin Somsri

ssarunin@gmail.com

Land Development Department

Thailand

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Land Development Department LDD (Land Development Department LDD) - Thailand

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

A group of 253 farmers had participated in organic rice production covering an area of 6,000 rai at Ban Naso, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province since 1989 by using organic fertilizers (compost). The produced organic rice has been certified since 1989 as meeting the standard by OACT and IFOAM; it has been exported more than 3,000 tons/yr.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The distinctive character of this farmer group is the integration for producing organic crops by using organic fertilizers from agricultural by-products and residues from organic-fermented liquid kitchen wastes and green manure. The group of farmers has been successfully supported by private and public organizations. The main objectives are to produce organic rice for export for higher income, with the aim at better health of farmers and consumers for having been saved from agricultural chemical residues. The concept of organic rice production has been the use of organic fertilizers by farmers participation. The establishment of learning and training center has been an important tool to scale up and scale out the activities; the certification of the products has been necessary to promote the export. The stages of implementation have been as follows: (1) formulate and prioritize policy and plan by the committee of 20 farmers from the group; (2) organize meetings for the 253 farmer members to determine rice varieties and after-rice vegetables; (3) purchase raw materials for making compost by 3 sources of funds: a. from the group by selling compost to non-members; b. the private export companies pay a premium of approx. 300,000 THB/yr to the group; and c. the government agencies support the materials for learning and training. The model of using organic fertilizers to produce organic crops is scaling out to 33 farmer groups in various districts of Yasothon Province. The main crop production has been the organic rice, which is collected at the center for export. The implementation includes crop planting, maintenance, harvest, certification, and selling. The stakeholders’ responsibilities are: 253 farmers in the group produce and sell their own products in the green markets, restaurants and hospitals, while private companies purchase the rice for export. The concerned government agencies are listed as: the Land Development Department provides the knowledge of making compost and organic-fermented liquid and also distributes green manure seeds and activators of bacteria and fungi for compost fermentation. Department of Agricultural Extension provides funding in establishing the learning and training center and materials used for training. Agricultural Cooperatives Promotion Department supports the knowledge of household accounting. Department of Groundwater provides groundwater irrigation by drilling holes 30-40 m deep. Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency provides solar cells as the source of energy. Some private organizations such as OACT and IFOAM etc. certify the organic food products. The farmer groups have been fully satisfied of the quality of their rice products that well serve the market demand and they get higher income as a result. Farmers are healthier and are safe from agricultural chemical residues; all of them are proud of their high quality rice products to export.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

Thailand

Region/ State/ Province:

Yasothon

Further specification of location:

Ban Naso, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province, Thailand

Comments:

Each member’s field has similar physical characteristics and large area, suitable for the application of technologies. Therefore, they are convenient to apply the Technology in the area.

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

1989

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date when the Approach was initiated:

10-50 years ago

Comments:

These concepts are still continuously proceeded because all over the world emphasizes public health and food safety.

2.7 Type of Approach

  • traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

1) To promote the use of organic fertilizers to produce rice and other crops.
2) To promote the production system for higher income.
3) To promote the gathering of farmers as a group that will improve communities in the form of being self-reliant.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • enabling

Being a society of organic agriculture lifestyle.

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • enabling

Farmer groups can support themselves since the leaders are strong so that the financial agencies trust and are ready to support.

institutional setting
  • enabling

Both government and private agencies support the marketing aspect, production inputs, production designs and knowledge transfer.

collaboration/ coordination of actors
  • enabling

The collaboration and coordination among concerned agencies continuously occur.

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • enabling

Farmers have legal rights on their lands as title deed, so they get motivation to develop and maintain their land sustainably.

policies
  • enabling

The government policies promote the organic agriculture.

land governance (decision-making, implementation and enforcement)
  • enabling

Their lands are categorized as highly suitable for rice planting.

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • enabling

Land Development Department supports the knowledge and organic fertilizer inputs.

markets (to purchase inputs, sell products) and prices
  • enabling

1) The Green Net Company has been buying the whole rice yield for packaging.
2) The provincial commerce agencies support the public relations, budget for showrooms and markets.

workload, availability of manpower
  • enabling

The mill labourers get the dividend.

other
  • enabling

The added values of production are created by making the groups’ trademarks.

  • hindering

The consumer markets fluctuated.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Members of farmers groups

Produce organic crop

  • community-based organizations

Naso Sub-district Administration Organization

Public relations

  • SLM specialists/ agricultural advisers

Mr. Piyamit Phukongnum, Agricultural Officer

Training

  • researchers

Researchers from the Government's research agencies

Training

  • teachers/ school children/ students

University students

Farm visit

  • NGO

Green Net Organic Company

Purchase products

  • private sector

Green markets, food stores, restaurants and modern trade stores

Provide market

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation self-mobilization The foreigners by the group chairman (Mr. Mun Samsee)'s suggestion recommended the process of non-chemical agriculture.
planning self-mobilization The chairman and members collaborate to plan the organic fertilizer production.
implementation self-mobilization The chairman and members produce organic fertilizers together.
monitoring/ evaluation interactive The private company (Thai export company) monitored the quality of organic rice with emphasis on the preservation of the environment and the sustainability of the program.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

Description:

Flow chart shows the implementation of the approach.

Author:

Miss Kanokwan Hansugjaijareon

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Ja

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

Farmers in Naso Sub-district and nearby

Form of training:
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
Subjects covered:

The creation of organic agriculture network, the markets for export, livestock, etc.

Comments:

Most of the members have agriculture knowledge rather well, so it is easy to expand the concepts and market.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Ja

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • at permanent centres
Describe/ comments:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives officers recommend and support the knowledge and production inputs.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

Comments:

It is the main goal to obtain the organic agriculture standard certifications.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Nee

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Ja

Specify topics:
  • sociology
  • economics / marketing
  • ecology
  • technology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

The government agencies, university students and private development organizations collaborate the research and apply to implementation.

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • 10,000-100,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

The working capital in organisation, supporting funds from government agencies and other private sector.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The government agencies supported production inputs. The Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmers Group) support labour wages.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • labour
To which extent Specify subsidies
partly financed Self-wages (non-cash labour)
  • equipment
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
machinery partly financed Packaging factory, seed and contamination screening machine
tools partly financed
  • agricultural
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
seeds partly financed Yasothon Land Development Station supports green manure seeds, barrels (for bio-fermented liquid) and molasses.
Materials for making compost
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • voluntary
Comments:

Not only the production inputs but also the labours are important.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Ja

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

Interest rate is 5-7% in average.

Specify credit providers:

Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Krung Thai bank.

Specify credit receivers:

Rak Thammachat Club (Naso Rice Farmers Group)

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify:

The farmer groups determine clearly the trade prices for organic rice.

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach empower local land users, improve stakeholder participation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The farmers could support themselves by making compost in the community.

Did the Approach enable evidence-based decision-making?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The Rak Thammachat Club has experts to recommend the production and market.

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The group consulted and encouraged the exchange of knowledge among members.

Did the Approach improve coordination and cost-effective implementation of SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There were meetings continuously to offer comments on development and improvement of the operation of the group.

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio

There are certain markets, higher price.

  • reduced land degradation

The continuous application of compost.

  • payments/ subsidies

Supporting fund from Green Net Company and banks (low interest rate).

  • rules and regulations (fines)/ enforcement

There are rules for controlling the production standard.

  • prestige, social pressure/ social cohesion

The group has won the outstanding performance and honour certificate.

  • affiliation to movement/ project/ group/ networks

There is integration between organisations.

  • environmental consciousness

This group is the prototype of organic rice production.

  • customs and beliefs, morals

The members are honest to work with strict regulations.

  • enhanced SLM knowledge and skills

The appropriate technologies are always transferred to members.

  • aesthetic improvement

The groups have legal trademarks.

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • yes
If yes, describe how:

This farmer group aims to produce the organic rice warranting the standard certification by both domestic and foreign organizations. The group has been strengthened and has obtained the clear administration principles. The private export companies pay a premium of approx. 300,000 THB/yr to the group; Green Net Cooperative.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The government agencies continuously supports the production inputs.
The organic agriculture system could preserve the environment.
The agricultural production attained high quality and could promote public health.
This approach could create the added values to rice production.
The conscious mind has built up to the community.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The group leaders have been strengthened through trainings by government agencies, allowing them to lead the group members and enabling others the success in organic farming.
The group consults and encourages an exchange of the knowledge among members.
There have been meetings continuously to offer any comments on development and improvement of the operation of the group.
The group members can support themselves and produce the best quality rice.
There has been a continued integration between various agencies.
The organic farming has helped in making farmers’ health better, with better environment and more secure food availability.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
The members still concentrate in Naso Sub-district area. More networks have been created.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The intervention of government policies affected with a result that some members have withdrawn. Suggestion has been to create conscience to the members for adhering to the organic farming.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

5 members of the group

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Organic fertilizer, production, using, and quality. Department of Agriculture. 2005. ISBN 974-436-479-3

Available from where? Costs?

http://aglib.doa.go.th/lib/images/Downloads/2549/EB00280.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Na-So; This video presents the compost production including the steps of compost making and the place where to apply (especially rice, vegetable, fruit).

URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEbrKL8Zdok&feature=youtu.be

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