CHIANG MAI FARMERS LEAD MAIZE-GROWING REFORM
Crop rotation is being praised as an eco-friendly way to deal with agricultural waste
After decades of growing maize in an environmentally unfriendly way, a local community in Chiang Mai has finally found a way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by re-implementing crop rotation on their farmlands. Since 1988, farmers in many Chiang Mai districts scorched their fields to make room for rice, sugar cane and corn — a cheaper method than crop rotation.
The Mae Chaem and Omkoi districts are among Thailand’s largest maize-growing areas. They have generated a huge amount of agricultural waste, and threatened the environment and livelihoods of tribesmen, mostly Karen and Hmong.
Manop Keereepuwadol of the Sustainable Development Foundation said locals have realised the dire impact of global warming. The rotation system has not only reduced pollution caused by burning after harvesting but also offers additional nutrients that restore the quality of the soil and improve its fertility.
It has also become an alternative source of income, he said, adding that rotation provides a variety of up to 50 types of crops, many of which have been imported.
“Here the locals can make a living by planting cinnamon, a spice that’s heavily imported from India and Nepal,” said Mr Manop.
However, he said that farmers are not encouraged to practise crop rotation since it does not yield large profits.
Mr Manop told the Bangkok Post Sunday during a recent two-day trip to study the European Union-funded project in Chiang Mai province that the effort was considered a practical solution for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
At present, 30% of the 1.69 million rai in Mae Chaem has been restored for crop rotation. Villagers now grow traditional cash crops such as cabbages, chillies, beans and basil, instead of monoculture plantations, says Somkiat Meetham, a grassroots activist.
Villagers have also reforested about 5% of the area, or 86,359 rai, and grown long-living plants, he added.
“Crop rotation preserves the forest and allows humans to live in the forest without any problems,” Mr Somkiat stressed.
Jerome Pons, head of development cooperation in Thailand, said that effective climate diplomacy involves international cooperation with local communities in developing countries.
“We usually think of climate change as a big picture, but its causes stem from the local level,” explained Mr Pons. “It probably looks like it’s more about the whole environment, but people need to know that the local community is very much connected with the big picture.”
The EU is working on a number of projects worth over 20 million baht with the SDF and environmental civil society organisations to ensure good governance in national climate change planning for Chiang Mai.
“Solutions to cutting greenhouse gas emissions must be sustainable and, according to the EU climate statement, sustainability comes with economic development, respect towards the environment and people living in the areas, and social responsibility,” said Mr Pons.
The EU has also been firm in supporting Thailand to bring about inclusive and meaningful public participation in discussing environmental issues in order to prevent conflicts between forest authorities and locals.
“The SDF’s job is to make sure the ‘right people’ from all sides find solutions and that they understand each other’s point of view,” he said. “Getting people from different sectors around the table is not easy, but we [the EU] are ready to help Thailand with this task.”
After having the world’s two biggest carbon emitters — China and the US — agree to ratify the climate agreement in Hangzhou on Sept 3, Mr Pons is confident that a number of other countries, including Thailand, will also follow by next year.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the upcoming Conference of the Parties in Morocco from Nov 7-8.
The EU also plays a key role in promoting the green standard for air conditioning, a huge generator of greenhouse gas. They also encouraged green business models for the Thai private sector, and the implementation of organic food production training for farmers.