@THAILAND
NAOWARAT SUKSAMRAN
NAN : Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has inspired residents in this northern province to raise organic vegetables in their backyards. The farmland in Thong Noi palace where the princess takes up residence during her visit to Nan once or twice a year spans 42 rai. It has become a model for organic farming.
"Sometimes the princess cuts vegetables in the backyard herself. The vegetables grown in the palace are served on her table," said Somsak Yasang, an agricultural officer who takes care of the princess' garden.
"The princess also sells home-grown vegetables at reasonable prices. Some of the surplus produce is processed and sold. Fruit including jackfruit, tamarind and papaya were donated to the nearby Nan Panyanugul school for mentally challenged children."
Proceeds from the sale of vegetables amount to more than 100,000 baht a year, and the money goes back into funding the promotion of organic farming in the neighbourhood.
Mr Somsak said the concept of gardening to improve residents' health had been adopted in many villages in the province.
Ban Donmul Pattana is gradually turning itself into an organic farming village, supplying produce throughout the province.
Nan mostly lies on a high elevation with abundant water sources, but the agricultural projects encountered problems with degraded soil due to heavy chemical use.
Provincial administration organisations, cooperatives, and provincial hospitals are campaigning to cut chemical use.
"We hope to adopt the campaign as an urgent item," said Thanu Pholboon, an adviser to the network of private agencies working on natural resources and the environment in the North. Funding will be sought for production of chemical substitutes such as organic fertiliser and to educate people about organic farming.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Next
