Sustainable agriculture and organic farming is an alternative to live life to preserve a culture and protect nature in Northern Thailand.
EK-ii-AEK-aekkk … the Thai language call of the roosters woke me from my warm, comfortable mattress. I can look at the sun filtering through the walls and under the wooden door. I feel cold, white mist in the morning to help the highlands of Thailand, when walking to my host mother is preparing to sell vegetables.
Thailand
"Theyseem sleepy. Why don’t you go back to your bed and sleep longer?”, Mae Ratri asked gently. Mae in this instance means ‘mother’ and is the way to address ones host mother; for about 2 weeks I was very blessed to have Mae Ratri Kruengngern’s as my surrogate mother. Mae Ratri and her family are a rural farming family in Mae Tha, an idyllic green village in Northern Thailand. I was part of a group of university students studying sustainable agriculture and as inviting as the offer of extra sleep played, I was more excited to continue with another day of learning.
Mae Tha is a small village of Mae-On sub-district of Chiang Mai, surrounded by mountains on the border with the province of Lamphun. The majority of the population speaks the dialect "Yong" or the Thai language.
Mae Tha inhabitants earn their living by growing rice and vegetables, using local organic and sustainable practices.
Phat Phat and Mr. Por, in light blue cotton shirt, wearing traditionalstyle pants and flip-flop, one of the country's leader, who first introduced organic farming and sustainable for people living in Mae Tha.
The process of transforming organizations to the Mae Tha conversion to organic chemistry has been effective, there was good cooperation from villagers in the community.
"I would say that is because our families have a long and affectionate. Our past generations living here. We are all related and that the strong support of the community"Por Phat proud. Most people will venture in the morning, their farms, but if it is a harvest time, they like to help others go from court to court.
The most impressive thing about farming and living in Mae Tha is to learn to give and receive. You will always ask for help when you need it, and perpetual state of giving, if you believe that help one another. This is the circle and the infinite beauty of support, the people of Mae Tha brought byDeceased and to give through the generations. Every Wednesday and Sunday Mae Ratri and wake a group of villagers 2-3 Clock, all green vegetables, fresh and chemical-free organic farming places in Chiang Mai is ready to sell – the market and JJ NHong Hoi market.
The organic food sales areas by the Institute for Sustainable Development farming communities or ISAC, an organization created to build and support sustainable rural communities in Chiang Mai purposes. L 'Sun shines brighter than it's time for a big truck coming to pick up the production and sales people for a ride on the market.
Mr. Weerapon Thamkhun, one said the members of the ISAC: "High domestic consumption is our first concern." He added: "The goal of the organic market, the products of natural processes using non-chemical fertilizers and pesticides, including processing and marketing to promote." The number of organic food consumption is increasingconcern because of increasing attention to health and sustainability in agriculture.
The smiling faces of people who come and buy brands of organic vegetables produced in the market assessment as healthy, safe food and reasonable price. The growing demand and appreciation for quality is the challenge that the community of organic farming and sustainable readily accepted. Mrs. Wannapa Tachai, a range of organic foods, said: "Organic farming is the greatest idea for consumers andFarmers. We both have a clean and safe food for our health. "
Mae Ratri Wannapa turned to his wife and nodded to her. "It seems to us, for both farmers and consumers, friends. A reasonable price for good quality fresh vegetables are paid, while their diet even healthier." Mae Ratri added that he felt like you're doing some kind of merit. While the villagers and food safety of organic products for the consumer, not the creation of potentially harmfulChemicals.
The sunlight is stronger and takes his position at the top of our head shows that it is time for lunch and go home. We are all gathered around and had lunch together. Sharing food is a common cause of Mae Ratri and their friends, because it shows the simple ratio of persons in and near Mae Tha. After dinner, people are ready to go home and prepare for work in their farms. We planted, placed, watered, weeds pulled by hand and dug the ground. The work wasgrueling, but every drop of sweat is rewarded in return, if the vegetables are grown.
Because in winter, broccoli, cauliflower, and many types of green winter vegetables can be grown. So we grab a shovel and began to plow the new ground for them. The sun still shines bright and brings clarity and humidity, but the cool breeze helps to mitigate the heat. So, we keep the farm.
Time passed, the sound of the birds return to their nests was a sign that it was timeto finish the job. We went home and cleaned us. I found that although the work was grueling in the company and both of my palms raw and bruised, brought freshness and joy for me.
"I feel happy because I know that my sweat to the cultivation of healthy and safe, the knowledge has led to the kindness of my clients," Mae Ratri words have many times in my head. Organic farming is not only their family to provide food for healthy living, but also extends the perspective to recognize theRule of nature. The more to protect the company with nature through natural methods, as long as nature remains with them.
"We only have one chance to live our lives. Sufficiently healthy and happy life are far more important than making money and getting rich through fraud and benefit take-action," said Mae Ratri. I think these are strong words of wisdom of generations of people around the country and respect the values of strong communities learned.
Sustainable agriculture and organic farming in northern Thailand, Mae Tha, Chiang Mai
