Integrated Soil Management for Organic Vegetables on the Highland Watershed in the Northern Region
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2018-12-21 11:09 Updated: 2021-01-14 13:12
Compilers: Pitayakon Limtong
Reviewers: Rima Mekdaschi Studer, William Critchley
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Thailand
- Region/ State/ Province: Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Organic vegetable cultivation on the highland area of the northern region of Thailand has been encouraged by local officers in order to produce safe food on degraded land through building up soil fertility and soil organic matter.
Detailed description of the Technology
This case study is of organic vegetable cultivation at Ban Muang Ang Village which is located in Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province, covering approx. 25,881 Rai (6.25 rai = 1 ha; 625 rai = 1 sq km). The topography is a complex mountainous area within the Doi Inthanon National Park, at an elevation of 600-800 m asl. The climate is quite cool and humid with average temperature throughout the year being 20⁰C. The average annual rainfall is 2,000-2,100 mm. Most of the population belong to the Pakhayo hilltribe, living in 219 households, with total population of 588 persons (308 males, 280 females). The main purpose of promoting growing organic vegetables in greenhouses is to change their way of life from forest encroachment/ shifting cultivation in the upper watershed, to improving the ecosystem services and environment with better health and higher incomes for villagers.
Since 2002, the government and the Royal Project Foundation have had a policy to change land use to organic farming. At the early stage, yields of organic vegetables were not good. In the year 2010, the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station brought a number of these land users to visit the Mae Tho Royal Project Development Center in Bo Sali Sub-district, Hot District, Chiang Mai Province. They obtained knowledge about organic cultivation in simple greenhouses made from bamboo poles, covered with plastic sheets and nylon nets. Local officers of the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station supported with education, offered suggestions and recommended practices, as well as finding markets to sell the organic products; that became the model. It took only 25-30 days for a crop, and they could harvest about 200 kg of vegetables per greenhouse. They could produce 11 crops of vegetables in one year, which means that they could earn 10 times more income than before. At present, Muang Ang Village there are 153 members operating in 270 greenhouses which is the largest organic vegetable production area in the Inthanon Royal Project.
The production of organic vegetables in this area is outstanding. This network has received certification from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Office of Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT Organic). Farmers or farming enterprises certified by this system are entitled to apply the logos and certification card of ACT Organic and IFOAM Accredited brand on their products. Moreover, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has approved the production processes. Every production step has been approved through the standard regulation of each agency with tracking to the source of production inputs such as fertilizers, disease, weed and pest control measures, cultivation practices, etc. Now they have nine types of vegetables that constitute the main production: Choy, Baby Emperor, Cos Salad, Green Oak, Red Oak, Fille Iceberg, String Bean, Kale Hong Kong and Baby Carrot.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Moo 9, Ban Mung Aung Village, Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province
- 📷 Ms. Kamalapa Wattanaprapat
- 📍 Moo 9, Ban Mung Aung Village, Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province
- 📷 Ms. Kamalapa Wattanaprapat
- 📍 Moo 9, Ban Mung Aung Village, Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province
- 📷 Ms. Kamalapa Wattanaprapat
- 📍 Moo 9, Ban Mung Aung Village, Ban Luang Sub-district, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province
- 📷 Ms. Kamalapa Wattanaprapat