Upgrading Farmers' Careers by Developing Skills as a Self-reliant Farmer in Nong Saeng Sub-district, Wapi Pathum District, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to 1) develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to be a self-reliant farmer in a new normal way, 2) develop and build a career with rice products and rice field materials, and 3) raise income for farmers in Nong Saeng Sub district, Wapi Pathum District, Maha Sarakham Province, by using a Participatory action research. This project ran from the upstream of the farming career relying on chemical fertilizers to become a professional organic farmer by developing professional skills as a farmer. Workshops were organized to provide knowledge and improve the scientific and technological techniques of soil, fertilizers, microorganisms, transplanted rice seedlings, planting, and production of rice seeds. Middle stream consisted of products resulting from the project, which are rice packed in vacuum bags and promotional family package, and create post-field activities such as making rice bran soap and growing mushrooms using rice straw. In the downstream part, the project organized online sales channel training through Facebook and Line applications. Participants are 80 farmers from the Nong Saeng Sub district. Field data were collected through observations and interviews, and questionnaires were used before and after program participation over an eight-month period. The outcome of the implementation of the project is the body of knowledge to promote professional skills in farming and rice seed production, body of knowledge to promote additional professional skills, life planning and entrepreneurship. The knowledge helps reduce the cost of agriculture reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and encourages organic agriculture. The participants created additional occupational groups into 3 subgroups, namely 1) the rice group 2) the soap group and 3) the mushroom group. Each subgroup has combined capital to purchase materials, equipment and machines, started producing products by selling in person and online, and opens an account. Lower expenses and increased revenues from extra occupancy increase savings by approximately 2,000 baht/person/month. However, the groups are in the early stages and need ongoing support from government and others to expand the product and create a new career belt. This contributes to the improvement of household income, community income and career stability and sustainability.