Approaches

Changing the Crisis of Degraded Land to Opportunities: Organic Vegetables under the Royal Project [Thailand]

Organic vegetables in the Royal Project

approaches_4308 - Thailand

Completeness: 97%

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)

co-compiler:

Wattanaprapat Kamalapa

1760 Ext. 5114 / 0836553915

kamalapa_w@hotmail.com

Land Development Department,

2003/61 Paholyothin Rd., chatuchak, Bangkok 10900

Thailand

land user:

Ponganabandit Watcharin

085-7238510

-

98 mu 9, Ban Luang

Thailand

local officer:

Siriphuvadun Boonsri

081-1639230

Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station

175 Mu 1, Wanghamhae Sub-district

Thailand

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

13/09/2018

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

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

This organic vegetable cultivation is the result of the integration of many government and private agencies to assist in training and transferring knowledge and experience to all members of the community network. The land users change the crisis of degraded land to opportunities through producing organic vegetables in the Royal Project.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The organic vegetable cultivation at Doi Inthanon National Park is located in Muang Ang Village, Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province, where the topography is steep and mountainous. In the past, the Pakakeryo hilltribe used the land for shifting cultivation, which made the forest area continuously diminish. Almost all land users and their leaders in the village need to solve this problem by modifying their production system to increase their income by changing the production to the more eco-friendly practice in the form of organic agriculture farming. The main principles are: (1) develop the integrated and self-reliant agricultural production system in terms of organic farming, (2) maintain abundance of natural resources, (3) maintain the balance of ecological systems and sustainability on farms, and (4) prevent and avoid practices that cause pollution to the environment, including giving support to the natural post-harvest and processing practices, energy saving and the least impact on the environment.
Operating procedures:
1. Establishment of networks: All land users set up networks of organic vegetable producers.
2. Integrated cooperation: Government agencies organize training on organic farming at least once a year.
3. Selection of the area: Leaders and members select the area for members.
4. Production planning: land users discuss with the local officer in production schedule.
5. Procurement of production inputs: All materials to be used must be organic and are from reliable sources.
6. Organic vegetables cultivation: All land users must strictly practice soil improvement, control of pests and diseases.
7. Production monitoring: Local officers monitor and observe land users’ practices in production process.
8. Harvesting of Products: All land users must harvest and preserve products as certification method.
9. Screening and packing: All land users must clean and screen the quality of products and pack for delivery.
10. Community network: This network and related agencies organize meeting/workshop to discuss/transfer knowledge.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

Comments, short description:

-

Location:

-

Name of videographer:

-

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

Country:

Thailand

Region/ State/ Province:

Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province

Further specification of location:

Organic vegetables plot with greenhouse at Doi Intanon is located in Ang village, Ban Luang sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province

Comments:

The area is located in upstream of the watershed where there is no pollution. All land users in this area would produce green organic vegetables for the market. They have been certified in organic standards by Department of Agriculture (DOA), Organic Agriculture certification Thailand (ACT) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

2002

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

10-50 years ago

Comments:

Almost land users know and understand the importance in preserve the environment, ecosystem and increase in their income, which is to strengthen food security and safety.

2.7 Type of Approach

  • project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The approach is to ensure that the the main guidelines of organic vegetables cultivation to national and international standards are followed and land users are fully aware of how they must cultivate the land and maintain the ecosystem balance.

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

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • enabling

The Royal Project supports good quality vegetable seeds for all land users and deduce the seed cost after farmers have sold their products.

institutional setting
  • enabling

Establishment of organic vegetables group, water users group and compost-organic fertilizers group.

collaboration/ coordination of actors
  • enabling

Create a strong community network in assisting each other to work in organic vegetables production.

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

All land users do not have right in land ownership.

policies
  • enabling

In accordance with the government policy in Thai Kitchen To The World Kitchens program, and organic agriculture.

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • enabling

The integration of several government and private agencies to promote this SLM in training, transferring, monitoring and inspecting to all land users.

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

There are markets for standard organic products, where farmers can sell organic products continuously, with stability and high prices.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Almost all land users are Pakhayo hilltribe.

They are land users and maintenance their organic production.

  • community-based organizations

Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station and Department of Agricultural Extension

Promote career, provide advice, academic knowledge, support production factors and packaging

  • local government

Ban Luang Sub-district Municipality, province organization and several agencies

Organize technology transfer in organic vegetables production to encourage and extend to other villages.

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 All villagers in this area faced problems with land degradation, low yields and insufficient income. The Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station promotes organic vegetable production, to eventually raise the quality of life of farmers.
planning interactive In 2011, a number of land users joined a study trip to attend a training course in vegetables production under greenhouses at the Mae Tho Royal Project Development Center.
implementation interactive All land users established a network of organic vegetable producers group and water users group.
monitoring/ evaluation interactive IFOAM organic standards are used to examine products; they have regulations for punishment of network members who fail to follow the instructions. They are also monitored by several government agencies.
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3.3 Flow chart (if available)

Description:

Operating procedures
1. Establishment of networks: All land users set up networks of organic vegetable producers and register the members properly; all members must act strictly according to the regulations.
2. Integrated cooperation: The Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station and the Inthanon Highland Agricultural Extension Center(ศูนย์ส่งเสริมการเกษตรที่สูงอินทนนท์) organize training on organic farming at least once a year, including study trip/s to visit other successful organic farmers.
3. Selection of the area: Leaders and members select the area for members, each member occupying not more than three greenhouses, 6m wide, 30m long and 3-5m high (180 sq m).
4. Production planning: land users discuss with the staff of the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, and plan the production of organic vegetables according to the schedule and types of vegetables to meet the market demand, as well as set up penalties in case certain members fail to follow the plan.
5. Procurement of production inputs: Both of local officers with inspectors and farmers can buy production inputs by themselves. All materials must be organic and are from reliable sources. Farmers must be very careful in this matter, i.e. they have the right specification from the agencies when they purchase.
6. Organic vegetables cultivation: All land users must strictly comply with the schedule of cultivation, practices in soil improvement, control of pests and diseases, plus recording every step of their activities.
7. Production monitoring: Staff of the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station and Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) monitor and observe land users’ practices in using soil improvement methods and using bioproducts for controlling insects, predators, parasites and diseases. Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT Organic) monitor the production process in organic farming.
8. Harvesting of Products: All land users must harvest according to the harvesting schedule and the preservation methods for the products. DOA and ACT Organic serve as certification agencies by analyzing the contamination of substances in the products.
9. Screening and packing: All land users must clean their products with non-contaminated equipment, and also screen the quality and specified size/s of products to pack in baskets for delivery to the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station.
10. Community network: All members of this network and related agencies including the Royal Project Highland Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture, at Inthanon, Ban Luang Sub-district Municipality, Chom Thong District, Land Development Department and others organize meeting/ workshop to discuss/transfer knowledge on organic farming as needed.

Author:

Ms.Kamalapa Wattanaprapat

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

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach
Explain:

-

Specify on what basis decisions were made:
  • evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

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

-

Form of training:
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • demonstration areas
  • public meetings
  • courses
Form of training:
  • made in VDO and broadcast
Subjects covered:

Cultivation of organic vegetables at Muang Ang Village

Comments:

-

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • on land users' fields
  • at permanent centres
Describe/ comments:

Several local officers from Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, Department of Agriculture and Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand and others.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, greatly
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Establishment of the community enterprise in organic vegetables is to strengthen in earning sustained and high income, and also to improve farmers’ knowledge and experience. Moreover, several local officers organize training courses and study trips for members of this network.

Specify type of support:
  • financial
  • capacity building/ training
  • equipment
Give further details:

-

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

The activities of monitoring and evaluation are organized by the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station, the Department of Agriculture and the Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand.

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

Yes

Comments:

-

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

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

Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization)

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:
  • 2,000-10,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

The main budget is supported by the Royal Project Foundation, the Department of Agriculture Extension, Sub-district Municipality Organization and others.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

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

All land users receive inputs such as dolomite, compost, microbial activators LDD1 and LDD2, and funds to build check dams, farm roads, etc.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • agricultural
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
production materials partly financed Dolomite, microbial activator for compost and bio-extracted solution.
  • infrastructure
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
road and check dam partly financed Farm road and check dam
Comments:

-

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Yes

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

Free of interest

Specify credit providers:

Royal Project Agricultural Cooperatives and organic vegetables producers group support some production materials.

Specify credit receivers:

Land user members of this network.

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

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

Yes

If yes, specify:

All land users know and understand the benefits of ecological system services, preservation of forest in upstream watershed, production of safe food for consumers, and increasing their income throughout the year.

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

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

Almost all land users have joined in the established organic vegetable production group, the main purpose of which is to support knowledge and production materials.

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

All land users collaborate with local officers to monitor the production process including making punishment to members who do not follow the regulations.

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of land users to implement SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There is at least one training course per year.

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of other stakeholders?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There is the transfer of organic vegetable production technology to other land users living in the vicinity.

Did the Approach improve gender equality and empower women and girls?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There is no gender inequality.

Did the Approach encourage young people/ the next generation of land users to engage in SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The authority encourages young people to join in this activity.

Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

All land users have the full right to use the land for agriculture but without land ownership.

Did the Approach lead to improved food security/ improved nutrition?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The production process is safe; it does not use chemical fertilizers and other chemical substances. The process was certified by local officers.

Did the Approach improve access to markets?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Local officers set up a direct contact with specific market, and they advised this network to produce according to the demand of the market.

Did the Approach lead to more sustainable use/ sources of energy?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

-

Did the Approach lead to employment, income opportunities?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Farmers produce good quality organic products and on demand of the market.

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased production

increase in quality and quantity of their products with several kind of vegetables.

  • reduced land degradation

they use organic fertilizers in the greenhouse, reduce in soil erosion, increase in carbon sequestration, and biological properties.

  • affiliation to movement/ project/ group/ networks

number of member of this network is increased because they would have more income and sustain condition.

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • uncertain
If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

Almost land users still need more guidance to plan their schedule of production from the local officers, including finding suitable and stable markets. However, all land users are very satisfied with this organic vegetables cultivation in greenhouses.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
This organic vegetable production is understood by the land users: it preserves ecosystem services and the environment. As a result, the forest area increases and the community members collaborate to preserve the watershed.
All land users have stable careers with higher incomes and improved status.
This organic vegetable cultivation produces safe food with security in food demand for the consumers and good to the environment.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The government policies in organic agriculture and “Thai Kitchen To The World Kitchens” encourage all land users to produce organic food.
This system can reduce forest encroachment problem and almost all land users can use their allocated land to produce organic vegetables and increase their income.
This system emphasizes in raising awareness directly to land users about soil resources, soil and water conservation, and the efficient use of water resources. All land users know and understand the improvement of soil quality with organic matter, thus maintaining the balance of the nature.

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?
It is very difficult for land users to find organic market by themselves. They need to improve and develop their marketing skills.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The land ownership right is a very difficult issue for this hilltribe because the area is in the reserved forest. Therefore, the government has limitation in allocating such areas for using in non-forest matters. The state should improve or solve this problem on policy of implementing agricultural activities on the highland.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

3

  • interviews with land users

1

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

1

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

-

Available from where? Costs?

-

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Muang Ang Model, intensive with real news agricultural people - Agricultural News, 29 Jan 2018

URL:

https://kasettumkin.com/tag/เมืองอางโมเดล

Title/ description:

The North Degree North - Muang Ang grow vegetables to be forest, 25 June 2017

URL:

http://program.thaipbs.or.th/thenorth/episodes/46187

Title/ description:

Learn to protect forest and tourist volunteer.....at Pakhayo Village, Ban Ang, Chiang Mai, 9 March 2018

URL:

https://m.mgronline.com/travel/detail/9610000022292

Title/ description:

Organic vegetables at Muang Ang, Release chicken...eliminate pests, 5 June 2015

URL:

https://www.thairath.co.th/content/502999

Title/ description:

Organic vegetables way at Muang Ang, Innovation Leadership-Bio-Agriculture, 1 Feb 2017วิถีผักอินทรีย์ที่บ้านเมืองอ่าง | ผู้นำด้านนวัตกรรม-เกษตรชีวภาพ 1 กุมภาพันธ์ 2560

URL:

https://www.svgroup.co.th/ผักอินทรีย์เมืองอ่าง

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