Some practical farming ideas from Thailand
By Zac B. Sarian
Visiting farms in other countries often rewards us with practical ideas that could be copied or duplicated where it is appropriate in the Philippines.
In one place in Chiang Mai, Thailand where Ric Reyes of East-West Seed brought us sometime back, we witnessed how a marshland was converted into productive embankments planted to high value crops like cucumber, papaya and many other crops including jackfruit and other varieties.
With heavy equipment, the marshland is dug up and the excavated material is made to form embankments. Canals that are big enough for navigation by small boats or bancas are constructed. It is here where the water for irrigating the crops are sourced. A small boat equipped with irrigation pump is used to spray the water to the plants on both sides of the canal.
The banca is used to haul the harvest to the packing area in the farmer’s home prior to delivery to the market. The boat is also used to deliver the fertilizer and other inputs to the plantation.
AT THE RESEARCH FARM – We also observed how they produce big plants of eggplant and peppers that have long productive life. This is done by growing the recommended varieties and then providing them with the best care and management.
The rows are planted in upraised beds that are mulched with plastic. The soil is enriched with organic and inorganic fertilizers before planting the seedlings. The plants are watered by means of drip irrigation in which the right fertilizer in adequate amount is provided.
With the right management, the plants really grow big. And to keep them upright for best growth, bamboo poles are provided as support for each plant.
Another important practice is to remove or prune the old leaves near the bottom. This provides good air circulation which is good for the plants. After all, the old leaves are no longer functional and if they are not removed they will only serve as hiding place for insect pests. Plants with no leaves at the bottom are also very nice to look at. The fruits that dangle are very visible and pleasing to the eye.
The same treatment is also provided to other plants like peppers. There are varieties that really grow tall and which can produce high yields because they are provided with adequate amounts of nutrients, moisture and other requirements for good growth. They remain productive for long periods.
TALAD THAI MARKET – Considered the biggest wholesale market for agricultural produce is the Talad Thai Market which can be reached from Bangkof in about 1.5 hours by car to the north. This was developed by a private businessman whose monument now stands near the entrance of the huge market.
The visitor will really be impressed by the big volume of harvests being delivered by farmers with their SUVs. One that really caught our attention was a pickup truck delivering bananas to the market on triple deck. By the new models of their delivery vehicles, it is easy to conclude that the Thai farmers are making money from their high-value crops.
One other thing that caught our special attention was the very presentable packaging of their coconut heart (ubod to us) which is usually used in the Philippines for making fresh lumpia. At the Talad Thai Market, the coconut hearts are presentably packaged in transparent plastic, very clean and hygienic-looking. If somebody in the Philippines can do the same thing, the local ubod could be a bestseller in local upscale supermarkets.
The Talad Thai Market is where traders or viajeros source their requirements for distributing to their outlets in the smaller cities in Thailand. One can find there practically every farm produce in big volume. Aide from the major crops, one can also find organic fish, meat, flowers and ornamental plants.
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