PUTTING IDLE LAND TO WORK

There is perhaps no better time for the sufficiency economy to capture society's attention than during an economic downturn.

A formerly idle plot in Min Buri is now growing crops under the BAM-backed programme.

With large tracts of non-performing assets in its land bank, Bangkok Commercial Asset Management (BAM) recently launched a project aimed at promoting His Majesty the King's sufficiency economy philosophy through the agricultural use of land it holds.

Swangchit Chaiyawat, the chairwoman of BAM, said the project was intended to help those who wanted to adopt sufficiency economy strategies to survive in tough economic times.

"The project is expected to be beneficial to people who are returning to the agricultural sector," Ms Swangchit said. "Because of the crisis, many people have been laid off. The project also offers an option to make a living for civil servants who have retired or are about to retire."

BAM president Bunyong Visatemongkolchai said that of more than 10,000 empty land plots owned by the company, about 500 worth around one billion baht showed potential for agricultural activities.

Buyers of BAM land will receive expert advice on new-theory farming based on His Majesty's guidelines to help them properly manage their land and water resources. They will be assisted with budget planning as well.

One example is a 17-rai plot in Lop Buri. With an estimated budget for land development of 524,000 baht, the plot can be divided into four parts: three rai for accommodation and herbal plants, two rai for a fish pond and 10 rai can be divided equally among paddy fields and perennial plants such as mango and coconut trees.

The heart of sufficiency farming is moderation and self-immunity to create sustainable way of living. One produces enough supply from his or her own farm to feed one's family and the rest can be sold to generate income.

‘‘The key to new-theory farming is to utilise and manage your land to its full advantage,’’ says Mr Chantee.

Chantee Prathumpa, a 71-year-old farmer, has joined the project to share his experience in new-theory agriculture.

"The key to new theory farming is to utilise and manage your land to its full advantage," said the Nakhon Ratchasima native.

"You have to first survey and study your land and jot down input and output information such as budget for fertiliser, seeds and labour needed. And then consider the balance between production cost and income."

To achieve this, Mr Chantee said, thorough study and understanding are essential.

"The barrier to success in sufficiency agriculture is laziness and lack of knowledge," said Mr Chantee, who spent 18 years working with the Department of Agricultural Extension.

He said people needed a shift in their mindset as many viewed the practice as unattractive and providing returns too slowly.

"Actually, we can get a crop yield from sufficiency farming in the first year," he said. "It depends solely on whether you have the will to do it or not."

Citing his own 22-rai farm as an example, Mr Chantee said he was able to generate a net profit of about 50,000 baht per rai after 18 months.

"I grew 12,000 sprouts of an organic herb and sold them at 20 baht per sprout," he said. "They were sold out within five months."

Mr Chantee said markets to support the products, particularly for organic vegetables, were not a problem at all.

"There are plenty of markets for organic vegetables such as department stores, hospitals and public health centres," he said. "Just make sure that your products are truly organic."