Living Land

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Image: LDD

Rice produced from the participatory saline soil management project attracts

a higher price and market demand due to improved quality

Rice growing in saline soil: capacity-building has helped farmers to improve

rice yield and quality

farmers. Then skilled farmer groups and networks were estab-

lished for good quality rice production. Rice yield produced by

the groups and networks is high, the quality is acceptable and

there is demand from consumers and markets.

Rice produced from the participatory saline soil management

project receives a higher price and market demand than normal

due to the improved quality. SCG supports the project in terms

of market development for selling ‘saline soil rice products’ and

facilitates the sale of rice products for farmers’ groups.

Regarding research and development of saline soil rice prod-

ucts, the Sakon Nakhon Campus of Kasetsart University has

conducted research and promotes the improvement of rice

quality and value through improving the quality of aromatic rice

varieties. In addition, the Tumbon Administration Organization

(TAO) fulfils the coordination between relevant agencies, institu-

tions, the private sector and farmers in the project area. TAO also

contributes in terms of disseminating information, performing

public relations activities, facilitating and hosting technical train-

ing, and raising awareness among farmers.

It is now 14 years since LDD implemented the participa-

tory saline soil management project. The transformation from

abandoned bare land with crust surface soil to an outstanding

rice cultivation area is remarkable. Between the years 2000

and 2014 the rice growing area has been expanded to 4,320

hectares or 60 per cent of the total 7,200 hectares of the devel-

opment area. Average rice production is approximately 430

kg/rai, and its total value in 14 years is approximately US$5.6

million or US$414,643 per year. In this regard, if member

agencies, institutions, organizations, the private sector

and farmers continue to integrate their work in a coopera-

tive manner and invite new partners to fulfil other required

improvements in saline soil rice productivity, quality and

added value, enabling an increased supply to meet market

demand, it is possible that farmers’ income could reach four

times their present level or US$1.7 million per year.

To provide backstopping services, LDD has established a land

development centre where farmers can look for most of their

required materials, various best practices, and recommendations

on sustainable saline soil management. The centre facilitates the

sharing of knowledge and experience and technology transfer.

It encourages the adoption of saline soil rehabilitation tech-

niques and promotes collaborative working among farmers. It is

hoped that with full support and knowledge gained from their

participation in the project, farmers will be strengthened and

will be able to manage the saline soil sustainably. The project

has been designed to be a model for saline soil management in

other salt affected areas of north-eastern Thailand as well.

In 2014, the project received the Excellence Award for

achievement in delivering integrated public services from

the Thailand Public Service Awards organized by the Office

of Public Sector Development Commission. The key learn-

ing experience from this saline soil management project is

how to overcome the challenges to farmers’ adoption of saline

soil improvement techniques. There is a need to understand

farmers’ problems and their needs as well as other related

contexts by working closely with farmers and relevant stake-

holders in the area, and to bring about cooperation among

them including influencing people and local agencies to

become fully involved in the project in order to achieve the

desired goals. The project turns an idle, degraded land into a

fertile outstanding place for high quality rice production. Its

impact not only generates better and sustainable income and

livelihood to farmers, but also enhances sustainable agricul-

ture and food security as a whole.

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