Change Chemical Rice Field to Organic in 1 Year. This Rice Field Owner Must Do What?

Change Chemical Rice Field to Organic in 1 Year. This Rice Field Owner Must Do What?

In front of such a lush green organic rice field, few people know that the path of converting a chemical rice field into a completely organic rice field is not an easy one because it is full of 'costs' that include physical strength, mental strength, and days, months, and years.

Even though this path appears difficult, what helps the farmers overcome every discouraging obstacle that comes their way is 'strong resolution to quit insecticide' that was formed not only from the farmers’ hearts, but also from the voices of the people at the end who looked forward to their organic produce.
In fact, the dimension of 'organic' differs from the term 'chemical-free' in that organic means not using chemicals at every stage of cultivation. It is an agricultural method that protects the ecosystem, is gentle on the environment, and emphasizes interdependence. In this same dimension, consumers can be confident that the produce in front of them will not contain any frightening chemicals because of the organic produce certification process, which begins with the seedlings and gradually improves the environment. Our inspectors and certifiers perform exceptionally well.

The First Day of 'Coming off the Insecticide ' Is Just the Beginning of the Change

It’s not that if you want to stop taking insecticide right away, that field will be organic because the production requirements for organic crops like rice have been drawn (plus highlighted with a highlighter) to require farmers to stop using chemicals on their fields for at least 12 months or one year. If not, they are still not eligible for certification.

At this point, fellow farmers who have recently left chemistry must first go through the 'Organic Transformation Phase'. Consequently, rice grown during that rice season cannot yet be sold in the organic market, but the buyer can clearly identify it as modified-phase organic.

Prepare the Production Area Chemical-Free First

The first step is to create a buffer zone that will block chemicals from all four directions. If a neighbor’s field is sprayed with chemicals, the wind is likely to carry them in. The buffer line serves as a barrier, keeping bad actors from contaminating the rice in the field. Farmers who do not have sufficient capital or space at the start may choose to use the slanting method during the farming season. Creating a permanent buffer by planting plants according to level, such as bamboo trees as a high level buffer, banana trees as a middle level buffer, or lemongrass as a low level buffer, is appropriate for rice fields with enough space.

In addition to chemicals in the air, waterways must be protected. Farmers must change waterways to avoid drawing water directly from sources. If water sources are at risk of becoming contaminated with chemicals, rice plants may also be exposed to chemicals contaminated by the water. The method involves digging a water trench or blocking the waterway with another layer of water filtration plants to filter chemicals that will enter the area in another way.

When the rice growing season starts, farmers must use organic rice seeds. Do not use genetically modified seeds (GMOs). Fertilizer must be added to the rice plants as they grow. In addition to discontinuing the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers must maintain regular storage areas for production inputs such as fertilizers and biological substances that improve soil and eliminate plant diseases and insects. The natural fertilizer formula must also be checked to see if it contains any synthetic substances. For example, if urea acts as a growth accelerator, the fertilizer formula must be changed right away.

Tools, materials, and agricultural equipment are also important considerations, as some materials, such as sacks and biological sprayers, cannot be shared between chemical and organic fields. If the tool is used for chemical farming, such as a rice combine harvester that was rented before use, farmers must take precautions to clean it to remove any chemicals that may have become stuck on the machine before use. Furthermore, the tool shed must be properly managed and not contaminated with agricultural tools, chemicals, or materials. Sacks and biological sprayers are examples of equipment that should not be used in conjunction with chemicals and organics.

With the essence of organic farming emphasizing environmental protection, farmers must refrain from mixing chemicals and other common activities that harm the environment, such as burning straw or stubble.

Second Mission: Document PGS Certification

Farmers must hold pens and record information diligently during the adjustment period, in addition to holding farming tools and doing work that makes their hands feel uneasy (including organic farming).

From creating a production plan, deciding what rice to plant and how to plant it, creating a farm map, explaining area management, and recording farm activities, which must show what actions are taken each day, what inputs are used, and what types of ingredients are available, or obtaining it from any source, including income-expense accounting, which allows farmers to compare costs and profits, see the difference between chemical farming and organic farming. These things will help to demonstrate that they truly changed their fields to organic, rather than bragging Furthermore, these documents can be used to expand into other organic standard certifications such as Organic
Thailand or international standard certification (IFOAM) in the future.

When the contract’s 12-month transition period ends, the farmers' fields will be subjected to intensive SALANA PGS organic crop production certification by a Suthirat Foundation team. When something is lacking, it does not mean that you will be eliminated or that you will fail to achieve your goals because the Foundation will guide you to continue your efforts as the 'Second Year Adjustment Period' with the pros continues until they overcome every condition that their abilities and readiness can offer.

We aimed to provide the farmers with “encouragement” to persevere through the challenges they would face as we laid out this route. We can all lend a hand if we take the time to learn about and appreciate their good intentions.
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