Thailand
Case Studies
Mun River basin-Phung River basin
"Integrated agriculture to enhance ecosystem along the upstream Mun River and the Phung River and sow the seeds of self-reliance in a more sustainable manner"
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"Integrated agriculture to enhance ecosystem along the upstream Mun River and the Phung River and sow the seeds of self-reliance in a more sustainable manner"
Case Study by THE GEF-SGP THAILAND / UNDP
Writer: Kamolwan Saosuwan / Chalit Saphaphak
Photos: Chalit Saphaphak
Tackling problems to conserve natural resources in agriculture to pave the way for a sustainable ecosystem is one of the case studies that aims to analyze challenges faced by local farmers living in highland areas, find solutions that are built on the community foundation and nature-based, as well as cooperation at the community level, which is a key factor in tackling problems and building on local development sustainably.
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With the objective of presenting this case study as a model for other communities to adopt effectively, this case study outlines the causes of issues, current situation, impacts, and operations in the community.
Project Scope
Single-crop planting resulted in ecological degradation, a steady depletion of natural resources, and rapid climate change. There are also economic and social difficulties to contend with. Integrated farming techniques have been applied in the upstream Mun River to address livelihood issues as well as restore soil, water, and forests. The techniques also promote women's participation in the management process, resulting in the community's increased capacity to deal effectively with climate change.
Location
Dan Sai district, Loei province, Thailand
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Beneficiaries
4,765 locals in Dan Sai, Kok Sathon and Ban Pong sub-districts
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Domain of Interest
The effectiveness of sustainable agricultural productivity to improve the ecosystem of the Mun River and conserve natural resources such as soil, water, and forest. Capacity building of women and families to adapt to climate change in the upstream Mun River.
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 1: No Poverty
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
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SDG 13: Climate Action
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SDG 15: Life on Land
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Background and Context
The Phetchabun mountain range is rich in natural resources, including forest and water streams that run into the Mekong River, which is globally known. The Dan Sai district in Loei's northern province is surrounded by high mountains and major river basins such as the Mun River basin, which feeds the Hueang and Mekong rivers, and the Phung River, which flows into the Pasak River. The plains are being used by the inhabitants as a residential and agricultural region. Local farmers, however, are forced to practice agriculture in highland areas due to a lack of available land. The majority of farmers produce single crops such as maize, tangerine, and pea, which require enormous areas to be profitable, resulting in a slew of issues.
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Deforestation in upstream forests to expand agricultural areas is on the rise, as is land preparation using advanced equipment such as ploughing and plowing the soil. Sandy soils are swept away during rainstorms. When agricultural fields are expanded, the circumstance will result in more weed types, aggressive weed encroachment, and difficulties in removing them. As a result, farmers employ vast quantities and a variety of intense chemicals and herbicides to speed up the production.
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Furthermore, sediments and eroded soil from upland agricultural activities are flushed out, making the Mun River shallow instead of a deep single channel that serves as a breeding ground and home to a variety of fish species, including indigenous species. According to the survey, 28 species are found. For example, Gobiidae, Goonch, Dwarf snakehead, Poropuntius and etc. Several species are thought to have yet to be discovered. The breeding ground was used to be sources of food and livelihoods of the locals. Fish have vanished following a shallow water of the Mun River. Thus, Agriculture in highland areas is said to have altered the Mun River's ecosystem.
-Highland monoculture is a major cause of change in the ecosystem of Mun river Basin and Phong river Basin-
Origin and Structure
The following are the key objectives for achieving sustainable agricultural production and natural resource conservation of soil, water, and forest, as well as ecosystem restoration in the Mun River basin:
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To develop learning processes and increase effectiveness of the sustainable agricultural productivity, with the objective of increasing revenue, improving livelihoods, and recovering the environment.
To sow the seeds of self-reliance among local farmers and create a role model of sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture.
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To improve local farmers' food safety and production, create a food supply at the community level, and construct a sustainable agricultural network in the Mun River basin.
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To build community capacity and collaboration among inhabitants, local government agencies, and civic groups in order to achieve long-term conservation and restoration of Mun River natural resources such as soil, water, and upstream forests.
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To explore options for natural resource conservation and livelihood development by participating in agricultural activities that benefit soil, water, and forest and are compatible with the Mun River's ecosystem.
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To develop capacity, concrete solutions and participation of women and families in climate adaptation while spreading public knowledge.
The objectives can be achieved by taking a number of steps, which are listed below.
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To conduct training sessions on sustainable and environment friendly agricultural practices, assess the ecosystem services provided by the crop fields, plan on restoration of agricultural system that will enable local farmers to be self-reliant and adapt new techniques for their farms.
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To conduct study tours to exchange knowledge, collect and select native plant seeds among communities as part of breeding and conservation efforts, including seed exchange.
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To conduct study tours to share community-level climate change adaptation experiences.
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To survey and collect data on agricultural lands as well as define the scope, regulations, robust conservation plan of community forests to bring about the forest’s fertility.
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To produce organic fertilizer and bio-fermented liquid products to replace the hazardous toxins and herbicides that harm people and the environment. A shift in materials can also help households and communities save money and provide healthy food.
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To engage in integrated farming practices that encourage biodiversity and a variety of plant species while also providing more green space for community forests in the surrounding areas. It also aids in the restoration of soil and the prevention of soil erosion into the Mun River.
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To get a better understanding of agricultural water management through the use of renewable energy such as solar power, which is environmentally friendly, with the goal of reducing fuel and electricity use while also being able to adapt to climate change.
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To use a traditional irrigation method, such as a water wheel, to signify the community's relationship to the Mun River basin's conservation. The knowledge has been handed down to the community's future generations, including children, youth, and guests.
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In highland regions, a water supply system capable of supplying drinking water and bolstering sustainable agriculture. The water pipeline, which has a capacity of 3,600 liters per hour (1 second per liter) and a filter system to assure drinkable water, is four-kilometer long and has a capacity of 3,600 liters per hour (1 second per liter).
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To encourage the development of fruit tree breeding plots and native seedlings to act as an indigenous plant hub for local farmers, with the purpose of increasing the Mun River basin's biodiversity.
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To grow fruit trees to extend food-producing areas, plant bamboos to lessen the adverse effects of soil erosion and generate natural resource-based revenue.
To boost revenue among local farmers by supporting more value-added processed agricultural goods through value-added and food preservation.
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To improve men's and women's knowledge of their roles in assessing risks, vulnerabilities, and climate change plans at a local level.
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To develop an integrated cooperation plan for local government agencies to conserve natural resources such as soil, water, and the Mun River's upstream forest in a more sustainable way.
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To establish knowledge management tools among local residents and sustainable conservation procedures for the Mun River basin's ecosystem in order to become a role model for other communities.
For other initiatives, the network has integrated its collaboration and pooled resources from both the public and private sectors:
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Officials from the Dan Sai Sub-district Municipal Office, Kok Sathon Administration Organization, Dan Sai District Agricultural Extension Office, the Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment of Loei province, Loei Land Development Station and Association for Phetchabun Mountains Range Preservation and Development (APPD) have worked together to promote capacity building and knowledge development programs as well as academic papers and important tools for local farmers. Meanwhile, Loei Rajabhat University can help with academics. The Forest Protection and Fire Control Office (FPFCO) Lor Yor 10 (Kok Ngam) promotes personal training in mountain water supply management since the river's source is adjacent to the community forest and protected forest areas. Neramit Wipatsana Temple has also taken part, donating indigenous plants to local networks, and Si Song Rak Wittaya School is learning more about traditional wisdom in water and agriculture management in the project's implementation projects.
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A community network and Baan Hua Na Yoong’s scholars have teamed up to explore the history of community administration and land data. The village fund organizations are also pushing for sustainable agricultural goods to become the primary source of revenue for the community. Producers of chemical-free goods and local farmers in Dan Sai district exchange information and market their products together.
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Community leaders, housewife groups, occupational groups, and youth work together to analyze problems, assess the community's ability to adapt, and develop strategies that are in accordance with current issues and the Phetchabun mountain range's landscape strategy. The committee's processes, which involve local community engagement and concern roles of women and men, are also outlined. The initiative focuses on women's roles and increased involvement, with two-thirds of their positions in the community committee being led by women in order to balance decision-making in order to tackle the problem.
“We have reduced the farmland to a smaller size. but have more income by studying for knowledge of development from many places and there is a market to support the production"
Challenges in Local Community
Expansion of Mountain Agriculture
Agricultural fields are inevitably constrained due to their location on highland areas surrounded by mountains. Maize, fruits, rubber, and rice are the most common crops grown by local farmers. They clear forest lands to enlarge their agriculture crops. The community forests have been overrun by deforestation and the expansion of agriculture fields. Local communities still lack participatory management of natural resources and the environment, resulting in forest devastation and land conflicts with state agencies. Over half of all agricultural properties are located within the Phu Khee Thao and Phu Reua national forest reserves, resulting in a shortage of land rights certificates for the owners and frequent disputes between local residents and park rangers.
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Changes in Landscape and Climate
The expansion of agricultural lands, particularly slash-and-burn methods, has resulted in significant landscape alteration. It also causes soil erosion along the Mun riverside, resulting in shallow waterways. Some fish species and breeding sites perish as a result of soil deposits, causing locals to fish in swamps in rice fields.
Every harvest season in monoculture agriculture, a ploughing tractor is used to plough the field, causing soil erosion in the downstream Mun River as well as chemical residue and pollution in the river's ecosystem, which expand into international waterways. The dredging of canals on a yearly basis does not prevent flooding in agricultural fields and residential areas. In fact, it exacerbates the problem. The waterwheels, for example, which are a local symbol and represent the community's wisdom, have vanished. The waterwheel is used to irrigate agricultural lands in the Mun River basin without using any fuel. It was built of natural agricultural resources in order to decrease burning practices, climate change implications, and production costs. Furthermore, due of the canal dredging, bamboo sticks that had been installed to counteract erosion have gone. It has also resulted in significant embankment erosion. More water has flooded into the rice fields, making it impossible for farmers to cultivate rice. The dredging of canals disrupts the ecosystem and impacts aquatic species' habitat and breeding grounds, resulting in a decrease in their number. It is possible to say, "the government's efforts to fix one problem have multiplied difficulties for community members and the ecosystem”. Solving the problem from the top down without taking into account the ecosystem and genuine demands has become a pressing issue that requires discussion and solution.
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Monoculture agricultural techniques harm soils, water, and forests, resulting in climate change, drought, and wildfire. Every year, maize is harvested by first igniting agricultural residues and corn stubble. Smoke and wildfires are produced as a result of the practices, which can extend into community forests and the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park and are exceedingly difficult to put out.
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The usage of herbicides, which can reach the atmosphere by partitioning from spray droplets during the spraying process, is a result of monoculture farming. Overuse of chemicals and fertilizers is the primary source of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, which are the two most significant contributors to climate change.
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Given the shortage of water and rainfall during the booting stage, when the flag leaves begin to stretch, undeveloped kernels and grain did not reach full heading between 2017 and 2018. The shifting seasons, which are directly connected to climate change, have resulted in rainfall disparities, making it difficult for local farmers to prepare for crop production.
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Women and families living near the Mun and Phoog River basins have struggled to adapt to climate change, rendering them more exposed to its effects than males. In certain aspects, such as women's predominance in food production and family well-being. Women are proportionally more dependent on threatened natural resources. Women, on the other hand, have limited access to resources due to the challenges they face in supplying water for agricultural activities in highland areas.
“Sometimes when we grow plants that use a lot of chemicals, We miss our children who live in the city. They will have to eat those vegetables. therefore turned to find knowledge of organic farming.Think about the heart of the person who eats it and is satisfied."
Community Movements
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Turning Monoculture Farming into Integrated Farming
Local farmers have been discovered growing maize and cassava in monoculture farming, which, while using less water, has negative consequences, such as harming the environment in the upstream forest and river basin as well as polluting the environment with chemicals. However, as more farmers switch to integrated farming practices and cultivate durian, avocado, rambutan, and a range of bamboo species, the problem has progressively been solved.
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Epidemics struck Uncle Prayat's plantations in 1997, destroying more than 500 orange trees. Due to the extensive damage, he was obliged to convert to maize, which requires a lot of fertilizer. He began exploring for alternative crops that may create more cash because the output was not worth the expense of growing. Later, he became involved in the Mun River basin's ecological improvement and began planting two durian seedlings in 2014. His durian farm was turned into a pilot farm. His revenue from selling durian online climbed to 30,000 baht in 2021, and it is expected to rise owing to the addition of more durian trees to his farms.
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Durian is an excellent choice since it can be cultivated on steep hillsides with little water. It has to be watered only once every three days and other veggies can be planted beside each durian tree.
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Community members are currently planting durian seedlings in order to expand the economic crops. Durian seedlings were distributed by Father Chalard to the project's participating farmers, who grafted the durian plants. The durian seedlings can be sold for 100 baht apiece, and a durian tree can be purchased for 450–500 baht. This provides an extra source of revenue to farmers. Father Chalard came up with the idea for durian seedlings after self-learning and sharing his expertise with other farmers.
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Apart from durian, another economically important crop that has acquired appeal in the community is avocado. The majority of avocados are cultivated for household consumption. Avocado farms that have extra avocados might earn up to 12,000 baht. It is worth noting that avocados have the potential to become the community's next major economic crop.
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People have also started creating “personal forests” in which a number of trees, such as Yang Na (dipterocarpus alatus) and Fagaceae, are cultivated Mushrooms are also grown in personal forests and being used as a food source. Small creatures can be found in the personal forests, and the trees can be utilized for constructions. Deforestation incidents and pressure on natural resources are reduced as a result of this adjustment, allowing the ecosystem to achieve better balance.
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Indirect advantages from durian, other trees, and personal forests include boundless wildfire prevention. Because wildfire may damage their trees, a change from monoculture farming to integrated farming with trees encourages them to better preserve their plantations by erecting wildfire barriers. If the integrated farms are located near community forests or a forest reserve, they will unavoidably act as a buffer zone, reducing the spread of wildfire caused by agricultural burning.
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According to Father Chalard, the transition from corn fields to forest parks has only positive consequences
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"I'm delighted when I see the trees. I am depressed when I see maize," Father Chalard expressed his feelings.
Community Forest Management
Bamboos were planted along the riverbank in 2007 to minimize soil erosion and riverbank collapse. The greenhouse and Japanese cucumber shop are built with Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Dendrocalamus strictus. The price of a kilogram of bamboo worms is 500 baht. Bamboo shoots and Termite mushroom, are also used to prepare meals by members of the community. Earlier, the people had little understanding about how to produce plants along the riverside. Only a few farmers attempted it. When the results were good, the method demonstrated that it could prevent soil erosion when combined with adequate rainfall.
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Apart from bamboos, other plants such as Aspidistra Sutepensis, also used as food and herbs, are cultivated beneath trees to prevent landslides, yielding more than 20,000 baht each year for farmers. ค้างคาวดำ is also used as a culinary additive and a tonic, while Erok (Amorphophallus brevispathus Gagne), which is native to the area, is produced without chemicals and sold after a year. It also blooms in April and brings in more over 10,000 baht every year. Termite mushroom, Musa acuminata, Geli-geli are considered to be part of the personal forests, which supply food all year.
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Pha Dong Ho is located in upstream forest with abundant biodiversity in terms of plants and wild animals, allowing native plants to spread and decrease their extinction. The goal of forest management, which is based on traditional ecological knowledge, is to lay forth policies and practices. The management is also founded on the notion that the forest is sacred and a community asset that belongs to all community members but is not privately owned.
Livelihood Development
On mountains, an irrigation system has been established for consumption and cultivation. Solar energy has also been used to help the community manage its water. When water is more easily flowed into agricultural fields, it improves ecosystem services and encourages the transition from monoculture to integrated farming. The mountain irrigation system has shown to be a practical way to restore ecosystem services, provide additional money for community members, and encourage farmers to improve their farming techniques, resulting in a variety of income streams throughout the year. Farmers no longer have to rely on monoculture agricultural goods. They can also shrink the size of their agricultural fields while improving their health.
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Farmers have established a communication channel which they share information and knowledge gained during study visits. Residents of Baan Nam Phoog and Baan Thoong Thoeng, for example, hold forums to discuss issues and propose solutions, which are typically carried out on their own fields. When the outcomes are positive, word-of-mouth has always been essential for wider adjustment and collaboration on ecosystem development.
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Women and family networks have shifted their focus to organic fertilizer and learned how to make it by viewing web videos, resulting in a reduction in production expenditures that were previously spent on purchasing expensive fertilizer. Their expertise has been passed on to other communities, who are now following in their footsteps and earning extra money. Integrated farming promotes food security, a sustainable economy, and upstream and river basin restoration, allowing people to adapt to climate change.
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The role of women and change
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Women generally motivate themselves to get better and feel more fulfilled. With an era of boundless classroom came a tremendous opportunity – online activities, onsite workshops and training courses – to learn about anything. It’s a game changer for women living in the Phetchabun-Loei mountain range. They acquire new knowledge and gain more experience to adjust productivity and preserve the ecosystem services that are being threatened by a years-long monocropping.
Women’s groups in Ban Thung Thoeng, Ban Pong sub-district, Dan Sai district of Loei province set a good example of reinforcing perceptions and actions that originated from the roles of women. The women are keen to improve their knowledge to be able to adapt to climate change that directly poses a great threat to food production. Because of their ability to pay close attention to small detail, they’re quick to pinpoint the problems and seek ways to solve them.
A great attention to details and care for those around them made Women’s groups in Ban Thung Thoeng turn their focus to safer crop production methods. “We planted monocultures, especially cauliflower and maize, which had badly damaged our health. With heavy use of farm chemicals, we thought of our grandchildren who left home to live in larger cities. They would eat these vegetables. We acquired more knowledge to sell chemical-free produce, so we can breathe a sigh of relief,” said Ms. Metta.
Due to their closeness with younger generations, women can easily transfer the best practices, a way of life, culture and communication technologies to children and young people in communities, especially their own offspring.
“Integrated agriculture can create food security. economic sustainability along with restoring ecosystems to cope with climate change.”
Policy Impacts
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Impacts on the National Policies
National conservation project on soil, water and the upstream Mun river basin is in accordance with four landscape strategies of the Phetchabun mountain range (Phetchabun-Loei) which are as follows:
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Strategy 1: Promoting and encouraging the community participation in conversation and restoration of soil, water and forests in a sustainable way
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Strategy 2: Promoting and encouraging effectiveness of the sustainable production
Strategy 3: Promoting, encouraging and developing various occupations in order to construct a sustainable economy based on the utilization of natural resources
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Strategy 4: Promoting and developing just management mechanism
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The project also aligns with the following national roadmaps and policies:
1. The Twelfth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021)
2. Convention on Biological Diversity (2015-2021)
3. Environmental Management Plan (2017-2021)
4. National Master Plan on Climate Change (2015–2050)
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Participation on the Global Agenda
The project supports local communities to achieve several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Climate Action (Goal 13), Life on Land (Goal 15), Partnerships to Achieve the Goal (Goal 17). Several cross-cutting issues that cover No Poverty (Goal 1) and Gender Equality (Goal 5) are also main focuses of the project.
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​The project also responds to climate change adaptation, particularly the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), which prioritizes women's roles in responding to climate change, as evidenced by the establishment of the Lima Agreement, which aims to advance women's roles and integrate women into the work of Parties to deal with climate change, as well as achieve equality in the community in terms of policy participation.
Building upon Development and Sustainability
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Repetition
The Mun River basin conservation initiative, which is based on sustainable agriculture, attracts a lot of interest from neighboring farmers and encourages them to follow suit. Farmers in Baan Thung Thoeng, for example, were interested in attending the study tour and sharing information with Uncle Prayat about integrating agricultural practices so that they could apply them to their own fields. Various riverside plants are now seen at every area where the river passes by, including the Phoog and Mun Rivers. Locals also scribble down information on aquatic species and new skills they acquire.
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Building upon Development
The three initiatives are funded through the Small Grants Programme (SGP), a business initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has shown to be very beneficial to participating farmers. Farmers were able to make extra cash by planting economic crops, recovering soils in agricultural areas, lowering chemical usage, and easing slash-and-burn farming practices, which are a major contributor to climate change, during the project's early stages. Farmers have learned to produce organic fertilizer and have worked together to maintain natural resources including soil, water, and upstream forests. Their traditional wisdom has been adapted to the mountain irrigation system to enable water into the farmers' agricultural fields, allowing for the planting of additional economic crops and higher year-round income through rotational farming.
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Sustainability
The civic network in the Phetchabun mountain range, which received grants from the UNDP's GEF-SGP, has worked to enhance sustainable agriculture-based conservation projects in the Mun river basin by taking the following steps:
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To implement conservation project in the Mun river basin that is based on sustainable agricultural practices, promote knowledge sharing about sustainable farming among different groups, as well as define period to exchange indigenous plant seeds and seedlings to promote biodiversity in agricultural fields.
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To cooperate on the implementation plan that should align with sustainable agricultural production on budget received from the Dai Sai District Administration Organization as part of its support on conservation of natural resources and environment around the Min River basin.
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To extend knowledge and understanding about procedures required to switch from monoculture farming to sustainable farming to the community's members and neighboring communities.
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To promote knowledge and local wisdom of water management that blends advanced technologies with three local ways which are mountain irrigation system, solar-powered pump and the water wheel.
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To create safe food production network by replacing chemicals with bio-fermented liquid products and extend such practices to schools and occupational groups in the community.
However, the same approach cannot be used in all situations. Landscape conditions and modes of living are among the variables. To conserve the ecosystem of river basins, collaboration between local government organizations, the corporate sector, and communities is necessary.
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"Farmers do not oppose development, but their voices must be heard." As landowners, we must respect and understand their way of life. There will be a lot of inquiries before any development construction projects since people are concerned about the ecosystem. Research in the Mun River basin would never happen if there are no people's lives," Dr. Ekarin Phungpracha stated.
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