Case Studies
Sufficiency Economy Project
Thailand
Introduction of EM in Thailand
EM was first introduced to Thailand in 1986 and became highly renowned after the international conference on EM and Nature Farming held at Khon Kaen University, a university that, at the time, was a sister school of the University of the Ryukyus where the developer of EM, Prof. Teruo Higa belongs to.
EM Technology was successfully extended to Asian Pacific countries through the foundation of the International Nature Farming Research Center in Saraburi province in the center part of Thailand.
Saraburi Center receives participants from in and outside the country to take part in workshops based on EM Technology and Nature Farming.
EM Technology was successfully extended to Asian Pacific countries through the foundation of the International Nature Farming Research Center in Saraburi province in the center part of Thailand.
Saraburi Center receives participants from in and outside the country to take part in workshops based on EM Technology and Nature Farming.
EM as an Economic Crisis Solution
In 1997, Thailand coped with a severe economic crisis, many city dwellers headed back to the countryside, which accelerated the poverty in farm villages.
King Phumiphon proposed the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy".
This means that the most important thing is that all individuals have enough to be independent and produce their own products for self consume and live.
Based on the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy", the so-called King’s Projects has been promoted throughout the country.
The connections between EM and the Royal Thai Army started in 1989, in attempts to develop farming villages in northeast Thailand that have been impoverished through years of natural disasters.
The military sent personnel to the International Nature Farming Research Center for Human Resource Development in Saraburi Province where they underwent a training course. As they put what they learned into practice within the military, they also trained EM leaders and began using EM in relief efforts in rural villages.
EM has been the answer to bringing about the “Sufficiency Economy.”
King Phumiphon proposed the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy".
This means that the most important thing is that all individuals have enough to be independent and produce their own products for self consume and live.
Based on the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy", the so-called King’s Projects has been promoted throughout the country.
The connections between EM and the Royal Thai Army started in 1989, in attempts to develop farming villages in northeast Thailand that have been impoverished through years of natural disasters.
The military sent personnel to the International Nature Farming Research Center for Human Resource Development in Saraburi Province where they underwent a training course. As they put what they learned into practice within the military, they also trained EM leaders and began using EM in relief efforts in rural villages.
EM has been the answer to bringing about the “Sufficiency Economy.”
EM Model Farm for Training
The Royal Thai Army has been the key in promoting the King’s Projects, using EM in Ubon Province to fight poverty and drugs. Ubon is located in the border of Laos and Cambodia, being part of the so called "Golden Triangle", the most opium producing area.
In Ubon Province the Royal Thai Army created an EM Training Center with a farm model to make it easy for farmers to put EM into practice, and completed an intensive farming system whereby one could have a completely self sufficient farm.
Applying EM Technology, they could raise fish, chicken, cows besides vegetables and fruits.
Training of farmers continue and even more farmers became independent and could raise their own sustainable business, turning away from raising narcotic crops and reducing crime incidence.
After this successful case, the Royal Thai Army with the support of the Ministry of Social Development, replicated and built another training model farm in Pattani Province, Southern Thailand where they organize workshops 5 days a week and training approximately 300 people per day.
In Ubon Province the Royal Thai Army created an EM Training Center with a farm model to make it easy for farmers to put EM into practice, and completed an intensive farming system whereby one could have a completely self sufficient farm.
Applying EM Technology, they could raise fish, chicken, cows besides vegetables and fruits.
Training of farmers continue and even more farmers became independent and could raise their own sustainable business, turning away from raising narcotic crops and reducing crime incidence.
After this successful case, the Royal Thai Army with the support of the Ministry of Social Development, replicated and built another training model farm in Pattani Province, Southern Thailand where they organize workshops 5 days a week and training approximately 300 people per day.
