Switch to Organic Fertilizers Boosts Incomes in Thailand's Surin Province.

Byline: Chatrudee Theparat

Dec. 3--By switching to organic methods, farmers in Surin are likely to increase their combined incomes by 50 million baht a year.

Giving the estimate, Kittipat Rungthanakiart said that Surin's Provincial Administration Organisation had built an organic fertiliser plant in Neukmeung tambon, Muang district, to help the programme.

Kamnueng Kaewnim, 50, a farmer in Neukmeung, said he had almost halved his fertiliser bill by switching to organic products instead of chemicals. He cultivates rice and guavas on 30 rai.

Mr Kamnueng shifted to organic fertiliser three years ago, on the advice of non-governmental organisations and state agencies. After finding he was unable to produce enough organic fertiliser to meet his annual one-ton requirement, he bought the product from the plant owned by the Provincial Administration Organisation.

"Farmers benefit from having a fertiliser factory in their home town, especially lower transport costs," he said.

When the Cabinet recently held its meetings in lower northeastern provinces, Surin was promoted as a model of state assistance to promote organic farming and bio-fertiliser production.