News

Master Trainers ready to train 350 Coconut Farmers on Regenerative Agriculture

01 June 2022
Master Trainers ready to train 350 Coconut Farmers on Regenerative Agriculture

After 18 months of piloting regenerative practices with selected pioneering coconut farmers, the Regenerative Coconuts Agriculture Project (ReCAP) is ready for its next phase: Scale-up phase. To kick-off this phase, 15 staff from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), 7 staff from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and 5 agronomists from Harmless Harvest were trained on regenerative coconut agriculture from 28. March 2022 to 1. April 2022. The training took place in Ratchaburi at a brand-new training facility of the ā€œAromatic Farmā€ (https://www.aromaticfarm.com/), which is owned by one of ReCAPā€™s pilot farmers. The academy is nestled in the middle of a coconut farm, so it made the perfect setting to inspire the trainees on the benefits of regenerative and organic farming.

From June ā€“ November 2022 the trained extensionists will convey their know how on farming as a business, soil health, pollinators, organic compost, and organic pest management to 350 coconut farmers across Samut Sakorn, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkram and Nakhorn Pathom. By working together with DOA and DOAE, awareness on regenerative agriculture and its importance will be expanded even further.

ā€œAfter attending the training, we see an opportunity for farmers to revitalize their farms through regenerative and organic farming. Reducing production costs and implementing environmentally friendly practices (such as cover crops and beekeeping) will be of great benefit to the farmers. Adopting all regenerative practices will take time, but we will support in encouraging farmers to change their farm management and help the ReCAP project in expanding their impact.ā€

Wilaiwan Thawichsri (Senior Agriculturalist, DOA)

The ReCAP project is a cooperation between Danone Ecosystem Fund, Harmless Harvest and GIZ Thailand. The project started on 1. June 2020 and will run until 31. August 2023. For more information visit our website: https://www.asean-agrifood.org/recap/

Learning about the differences between good and poor soils
Field visit to regenerative coconut farm
Examining intercrops growing underneath coconut trees
Examining intercrops growing underneath coconut trees
From left to right: Sansanee Nitithamyong (DOAE), Wilaiwan Thawichsri (DOA), Nuanla-or Dherdkiattikun (ReCAP Pilot farmer), Lisa Faust (GIZ) and Khachiphan Bunsiri (HHT)
From left to right: Sansanee Nitithamyong (DOAE), Wilaiwan Thawichsri (DOA), Nuanla-or Dherdkiattikun (ReCAP Pilot farmer), Lisa Faust (GIZ) and Khachiphan Bunsiri (HHT)

Contact Person
Lisa Faust