Natural agricultural centre in Phuket

Special Report for Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) at 8.30am & local Cable TV channel 1 + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Monday 26 May 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Contact AndamanNews@yahoo.com

Our special report today features a classic example of the wise utilization of farms for comprehensive production. Our reporter has more details:

The 38 rai plot of land in Wichit sub-district of Phuket, located in a natural agricultural centre, is another good example of farmland utilization with comprehensive production. The operator here also applies self sufficiency economy principles to make sure that the operation is sustainable, as Thanasani Sawasdirak, Phuket Agriculture & Cooperatives chief explained: "We emphasise on safe farm produce to encourage reductions to no chemicals, as it also cuts production costs. We also conduct courses on organic manure and compost fertiliser." The centre has varieties of farming knowledge and produce. Not only producing for itself, the centre has local experts to explain or train interested farmers applying conventional ways with new technology to ensure better outcomes. Here visitors can learn about bio-diesel fuel production, new innovations from waste piles, fertilizer making processes, all from the local material found on the farm. This fertilizer is an outcome from fermented fruit peels and also the produce left over from charcoal making to make great fertilizer for the hydroponics farm. The vegetables are in high demand in the resorts like Phuket to feed domestic consumption and tourist market, as Nirat Tassanitipakorn, local scholar told us: "We totally cut out chemical use and replace with natural fertiliser in water. We try to disperse the insects or crop enemies, not kill them, as we place consumer's safety as a main priority."

The centre also acts as a demonstration centre for community learning. It can be compared to an agriculture school. Interested groups usually pay a visit on study tours. It offers training courses like developing agriculture into a sufficiency economy which young farmers can learn and apply for their own modern agricultural farms.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Phuket
• Thailand
• agriculture

[gogomountain]

Thanasani needs to do something with her hair!