Regenerative Coconuts Agriculture Project (ReCAP)

ReCAP Pilot Farmer. Copyright: GIZ

Rearing stingless bees. Copyright: GIZ

Nam hom coconuts. Copyright: GIZ

OBJECTIVES

To support and train 350 coconut farmers to grow coconuts according to regenerative organic agricultural practices;
To equip farmers with basic business skills to diversify and thereby increase their income; and
To establish a self-sustained entity that enables and supports continuous development of sustainable farming practices among the coconut communities of the so-called “Nam Hom Provinces”.

DESCRIPTION

Nam Hom coconuts, or aromatic coconuts, are a special coconut variety from Thailand known for their exceptionally fragrant water. The demand for these fruits from across the world has surged over the past few years. To keep up the supply, farmers have turned to monoculture and the use of heavy chemical inputs to boost their yields. The short-term focus of these practices is harming the environment and putting farmers and farm workers’ livelihoods at risk. In order to develop and incentivise more sustainable practices of coconut farming, the idea of the Regenerative Coconuts Agriculture Project (ReCAP) was born.

APPROACH/FIELD OF INTERVENTION

Regenerative and organic agriculture
Improvement of soil health
Intercropping
Bee rearing
Compost from coconut waste
Increasing income resiliency

TARGETED BENEFICIARIES

Nam Hom coconut farmers

HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITIES

Training on regenerative farming for Nam Hom coconut farmers
30 Master Trainers
Demo plots for regenerative organic farming (growing intercrops and cover crops, rearing bees and fish, making compost from coconut waste)
Training Curriculum on farm management, soil health, organic inputs, pest management, and regenerative organic practices

PUBLICATIONS

VIDEO

Regenerative Coconut Agriculture – Beyond Organic (Short video)

Regenerative Coconut Agriculture – Beyond Organic (Full length)

SUCCESS STORIES

“Joining the coconut project has broaden my horizons as a farmer. I have had many ideas about how to farm more sustainable, but I didn’t know where to start. By working with the project team, I learned how to manage my coconut farm in an innovative and holistic way. Now that I am regenerative farmer, I can see the many benefits this farming approach brings: for my farm, for myself and for the environment. This makes me a proud farmer.” – Wannarak Kaenampornpan (Nam Hom coconut farmer, Ratchaburi, Thailand)