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Differently-Abled Farmers Integrate Digital Technology, Aim To Set Example For Others — Global Issues


Rawan Bo-khuntod (left) and another farmer plant seedlings. Credit: Pattama Kuentak / IPS
  • by Pattama Kuentak (khlong song, thailand)
  • Associated Press Service

‘Farm Samart, Khon Sama’ consists of a large open greenhouse located at the rear of the property. In a small lawn in front, six raised beds of coriander and coriander were raised. On one side is an office building and a factory.

Inside the greenhouse, three rows of high beds were planted with seedlings of various types of lettuce, still too small to be discerned. The soil is covered with straw to protect the young plants.

Ten years ago, Khoen Sapanyabut founded the association to highlight the right to education and employment of people from different backgrounds. The land donated by the temple is located nearly two kilometers from the main highway. On one side of the tree-lined road is a canal dotted with poor community homes and shops. The other side alternates from factories to vacant lots, to schools.

Secured grounds, Khoan, who uses a wheelchair, is thinking about activities members should focus on. He chose to grow vegetables. “People with disabilities have different skills. Some are good at computers or repairing equipment. But growing vegetables is an activity that everyone can do, even without a proper education,” he said.

The association first applied the hydroponic farming method and grew vegetables such as lettuce, water spinach and collard greens. Although these vegetables are easy to grow and sell, they are cheap and not very profitable.

In addition, due to limited space, production cannot keep up with demand. The full cost of hydroponics, including electricity, water and chemical fertilizers, also exceeds the profit.

The transition to land-based agriculture happened when the association partnered with Bangkok University three years ago and started receiving annual funding and support, including greenhouses.

The farm now has a total of 28 raised beds. All are designed to a certain height to accommodate farmers sitting on wheeled chairs. The aisles are also wheelchair accessible.

Today, the farm grows red and green oak lettuce, kale, cos lettuce, Frillice Iceberg lettuce and avocado lettuce as vegetables of high economic value. All production activities follow organic farming process including compost made by the members themselves.

Rawan Bo-khuntod, 53 years old, is responsible for the daily paperwork of the farm. She also works as an accountant and sometimes helps farmers prepare and sow seeds. Rawan said this job has boosted her working life as a person with a disability because she especially enjoys being a manager.

It also makes her healthier. “Before, I found it difficult to eat vegetables. Now I’m starting to like avocado lettuce and often add it to salads. “I feel safe eating them knowing that they are 100% organic,” adds Rawan.

Praset Raitim (left) and Khoen Sapanyabut harvest kohlrabi.  Credit: Pattama Kuentak / IPS Praset Raitim (left) and Khoen Sapanyabut harvest kohlrabi. Credit: Pattama Kuentak / IPS

An additional boost comes from the form of cooperation between the farm and the Thai Government Agency that promotes the digital economy. Rittirong Chutapruttikorn, dean of the School of Architecture at Bangkok University who heads the greenhouse design, says he is looking for ways to make farmers’ lives easier. He has found that taking care of the plants, such as watering them while in a wheelchair, takes both time and energy for them.

One of the first steps after partnering with DEPA was to install a digital watering system using a mobile phone app. The automatic sprinklers are connected to the sprayers. Temperature controlled, the system provides four minutes of misting five times a day.

Prasert Latim, who was disabled by childhood polio, was one of two people tasked with accessing the app via his phone. He told IPS that it was more convenient to use an automatic sprinkler because he didn’t have to monitor and water the vegetables all day. It also prevents soil splashing, which can deplete nutrients.

Prasert, 56, notes that smart irrigation systems will not only save water, but also money, especially as utility costs are rising.

Farm Samart, is a part of Digital Innovation Village The project (DVI) is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with DEPA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Kasetsart University.

“Our goal was to find a way to encourage farmers to adopt more digital technologies,” said Witsanu Attavanich, Associate Professor of Economics at Kasetsart University and FAO lead consultant.

“We can apply the Internet of Things (real digital application) in the planting and harvesting process. All of these will generate more income for both farmers and communities,” said Witsanu. His team of professors from his departments of agriculture and engineering will support farmers in both the fields of agriculture and technology.

Despite the determination of the members, the farm faces challenges. The first thing is limited space. In addition, the farm cannot meet the market demand due to inconsistent production.

Witsanu’s mission is to find sustainable business models not only for Farm Samart but for two other DVI farms in Nonthaburi and Chumphon provinces.

As for Farm Samart, the professor said he plans to work with local government agencies and villagers in nearby communities to increase land, manpower and ultimately production to meet demand. Witsanu also plans to implement a long-term business plan to attract more people to the project.

On the technology front, he said the team will also explore additional practical tools from the Internet of Things to better assist farmers and ensure that whatever they adopt keeps pace with emerging technology. .

While “the application (running the irrigation system) is very advanced,” as it can support sensors for air temperature, humidity in the air and soil, and light intensity, Rittirong says “ we don’t have” because farmers still lack knowledge about technology, soil, pests and diseases of vegetables.

Digital sprinkler irrigation system for vegetables.  Credit: Pattama Kuentak / IPS Digital sprinkler irrigation system for vegetables. Credit: Pattama Kuentak / IPS

Witsanu said training courses in agriculture, technology and business will be provided to both farmers at Farm Samart and nearby villagers. That information will be collected in a tutorial at the end of the project.

Khoan has a vision of the association becoming a learning hub with a small cafe selling drinks and healthy food made with farm-raised vegetables. He hopes to set an example for other associations and the surrounding community.

Although it is still in its infancy, “I am proud (of the farm) because it has proven that people with disabilities can grow vegetables just like normal farmers,” he said.

A global initiative inspired by FAO Director-General, Mr. QU Dongyu, DVI is being piloted in the Asia-Pacific region. This village is among many that are being showcased and sharing its progress with other villages and regions in the Asia-Pacific, as well as other parts of the world.

© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service



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