Organic Agriculture
Supporting Rice Growers into Community Business Entrepreneurs Project
Supporting Rice Growers into Community Business Entrepreneurs Project
Hang Chat District Khao Thip Chang Group Community Enterprise, Lampang Province
Suthirat Yoovidhya Foundation cooperates with Hang Chat District Khao Thip Chang Group Community Enterprise, Hang Chat Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province.
Project Goals
The goal of the project is to facilitate the transition of rice farmers into community business entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to enhance their processing capabilities and advancing organic agricultural standards internationally. This will enable the farmers to transition into a state of complete entrepreneurship, which in turn promotes sustainable self-reliance and a sound economic system.
Support Criteria
1. Farmer groups must possess “need” in order to request assistance in developing projects that align with the group’s context and objectives.
2. Farmer organizations must perceive “opportunities” that align with their objectives and possess the capacity to offer assistance.
3. Farmer groups must possess “potential” in budget management, personnel administration, and guiding the project toward its objectives, among other facets of project fund management.
4. Farmer groups must receive “monitoring and evaluation” project implementation in order to evaluate and plan operations for the next phase.
5. Farmer groups receiving project support must have goals for “sustainability” or self-reliance.
Project Importance
Hang Chat District Khao Thip Chang Community Enterprise, Lampang Province, is a group that has serious intentions and commitment to organic farming. At this time, they have been engaged in organic agriculture for over six years. The organization possesses a robust internal control system and has obtained Organic Thailand certification through the promotion of rice farmers to community business entrepreneurs status. It is a crucial model that will foster a sound economic system, thereby sustaining the growth of organic farming regions and establishing self-sufficiency over the long term.
Supporting Rice Growers into Community Business Entrepreneurs Project
Hang Chat District Khao Thip Chang Group Community Enterprise, Lampang Province
Project Progress in 2020
Project Implementation in 2020 / Supporting the Establishment of International Organic Agriculture Standards (IFOAM)
Develop understanding and knowledge to assist farmer groups in preparing for standard certification as they raise standards for organic rice cultivation in order to increase market opportunities and product value for farmers participating in the project. There are 53 cases in total, with a 346.10 rai production area encompassing the following nine subdistricts and three districts:
1) Wiang Tan Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province
2) Hang Chat Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province
3) Pong Yang Khok Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province
4) Wo Kaew Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province
5) Mae San Subdistrict, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province
6) Pong Saen Thong Subdistrict, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang Province
7) Chomphu Subdistrict, Mueang Lampang District, Lampang Province
8) Mueang Pan Subdistrict, Mueang Pan District, Lampang Province
9) Chae Son Subdistrict, Mueang Pan District, Lampang Province
Encourage Organic Farming Business Networks
Encourage business matching between Salana Organic Village (Social Enterprise) Co., Ltd. and Khao Thip Chang Community Enterprises, Hang Chat District, to buy and sell organic paddy in the form of futures contracts at a fair price ( Fair Trade). Between 2019 and 2020, 65 tons of organic paddy rice varieties, including Jasmine 105, Jasmine Red, and Jasmine Nil Surin, were bought and sold.
Upgrade Community Business Entrepreneurs with 2021 Capital Support Plan
Together with Chiang Mai University, we analyzed the performance, readiness, and potential of processing organic rice and dark rice powder in 2020 in order to develop a strategy to assist the Hang Chat District Khao Thip Chang Group in its transition to community business entrepreneurship in 2021.
Q: Starting point for organic farming?
A: Agriculture is a sacred profession. Farming has been passed down through our ancestors, so there is no reason not to continue. I retired from government service and began growing rice organically to demonstrate to the villagers that they, too, can produce profitable products without the use of chemicals. Importantly, in today’s world, health problems are frequently caused by diseases. As a result, we are interested in transitioning to organic farming, not for anyone else, but for our own and our loved ones’ health, as well as the happiness that comes from eating safe, chemical-free food.
Q: The concept of selling rice by the gram..we can do it. What does it mean?
A: Thisidea began when we met a good partner and brought his knowledge to the group, resulting in an idea, a channel, and action. We started learning and experimenting until it became “Dark Rice Skin Powder Containing Anthocyanin”. The group takes pride in the fact that, in addition to selling paddy or milled rice, we can also produce rice surface powder for sale, which adds value and generates revenue.
Q: What are the current goals and operational plans?
A: Our strategy is to raise and develop the group’s potential to a higher level as a means of entering new markets. We have been granted financial assistance to support our ongoing development of tools and knowledge. Additionally, the Suthirat Yoovidhya Foundation has provided support in our application for IFOAM standard certification, which is a more stringent international organic agricultural standard than the one currently held by the group. With certification, we anticipate improved marketing and channel strategies. More importantly, we aspire to be a producer of high-quality rice in Lampang Province and a community business entrepreneur.
Q: Leave a message to the Suthirat Yoovidhya Foundation
A: First and foremost, I’d like to thank the Suthirat Yoovidhya Foundation for recognizing the Khao Thip Chang Group’s potential and coming to promote and support the project as it grows. The foundation’s work guidelines help the community gain knowledge, generate income, and build teamwork and a system. May you continue to do such good work for society. Thank you.
