Surin Organic Learning Center: Session 3

Farmers from Khorat, Suratthani and several districts in Surin joined SFS from April 6 to 9. Our members taught them about making several types of compost, rice seed saving techniques (including SRI planting), organic ducks, and organic pigs (which included another set of organic composts and animal feed). Beyond techniques, our members discussed the farmers' group-building process and the small-scale farmers movement for organic farming. This report will try to keep things brief, as much of the day-to-day details are very similar to those of Sessions 2 and 3.

The Khorat farmers’ group was coming from a unique place. Though most farmers in the northeast are considered small-scale (5 to 15 acres), the Khorat group represented a more central Thai approach to agriculture, growing rice in a mostly mechanized process and planting on large paddies (farmers owned between 25 and 85 acres). Yet they were genuinely interested in learning about organic techniques and trying to apply them on a large-scale. These types of farmers often view organic farming as a step backwards (technologically and development-wise), or are convinced that their productivity will suffer if they don’t use chemicals (as do small-scale farmers). It was refreshing and encouraging meeting a group of farmers that seek an alternative, especially with the support of the BAAC – much like the groups from Chaiyapum and Ubon Ratchatani during Session 2.

P’ Daeng, from Pi Mai district, Khorat province told the group on Day 2, “I’ve come here to see people with a way of life that is self-sufficient – my home is not self-sufficient, with mostly large-scale farmers. It’s a valuable experience, seeing farmers who are self-sufficient and growing diverse, organic crops.” Self-sufficiency was an important theme throughout the session, including for those groups from other villages and districts that sell vegetables at the Green Market, but came to train further in organic rice production and seed saving. This type of event can serve as both an introduction and a refresher.

Day 4 brought reflection from the farmer-students, as they had an opportunity to talk about the organic farmers they stayed with. P’ Wirawan, who is famous for her mushrooms, earns 4 to 5 thousand baht (up to $150) per week, but she told those who stayed with her that it’s taken 10 years to feel successful – it’s about hard work, commitment and freedom. P’ Jansee, who taught the farmers about SRI and rice seed saving, has a beautiful forest surrounding his house. The farmer-students recognized the value of planting trees and having such diversity around the home. It is an important part of sustainable agriculture (beyond planting rice). P’ Pakphum, another one of our educators, helped the group recognize that money isn’t the center of all things – health and nature are more valuable to a farmer. One person realized that organic farming is about learning a way of life; it is an opportunity to change one’s life.

Paw Samrit spoke about the endless cycle of pesticide and herbicide use: “there are 5,760 species of insects in our fields. We use pesticides and our vegetables are beautiful, but then we forget about the weeds...” Worms are essential: they break down waste and we use their waste as fertilizer.

P’ Bresong spoke about his neice who is now returning home after losing her job in Bangkok. She’s returning home as a last resort, but was a burden when in Bangkok and without any money to remit to her family. Her family’s land is an opportunity to return home to.

P’ Nok told the group, “you’ve finished college, now move on to grad school – keep learning in your fields!”

P’ Yae helped conclude: “There are a lot of excuses not to farm organically – it’s hard, don’t have family help, no time, ‘just give me a minute to start…’, my soil isn’t good, etc. But just start, a little bit, and if there’s some success, then take it further – it’s all up to you.”

That pretty much wraps up our Organic Learning Center for this season. Over the next few months, farmers will begin preparing their fields for the rice-planting season. With their new knowledge gained, we hope the farmers who joined our learning sessions will begin transitioning away from using chemicals – whether they have 200 rai of land or not. Below, the farmer-student group from Pi Mai district, Khorat province.