IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

Research article
erdArea Based Management Extension for Sustainable Rice
Production: Lessons Learned from Sustainable Rice
Farmers Groups in Det Udom District, Ubon Ratchathani
Province
ATTHAWIT WATCHARAPONGCHAI*
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi,
Thailand
Email: doiteveryday@hotmail.com

BENCHAMAS YOOPRASERT
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi,
Thailand

BUMPEN KEOWAN
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi,Thailand
Received 4 January 2018

Accepted 23 April 2018(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Lessons learned by farmers’ groups in Thailand who received area based
management extension for sustainable rice production were investigated. Objectives wereto 1) study area based management extension for sustainable rice farmers’ groups, 2)analyze the current situation regarding area based management extension of these groups,
3) identify key actions for group improvement, and 4) determine the lessons learned.
Qualitative data were collected from 77 sustainable rice farmers belonging to two farmers’groups in Det Udom district, Ubon Ratchathani Province during an organized forum.
Additional data were collected and analyzed from key informants including groupchairmen and extension officers using in-depth interviews. Results were as follows: 1) thefarmers’ groups were founded as Community Rice Centers producing seed, and later joined
the Area Based Management Extension Program initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Cooperatives to increase their knowledge capacity and market linkage. They also
participated in the Sustainable Rice Production Pilot Testing Project organized throughcollaboration between the Thai Rice Department and Better Rice Initiative Asia Project tolink with sustainable rice new value chains. 2) Farmers were assessed regarding theircurrent practices against their compliance score of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)
standard and received scores averaging 74.5%. After knowledge transfer, their scores wereaudited by an external auditor and increased to an average of 84% classified by the‘Working toward Sustainability’ level. 3) Actions for group improvement were identified
as follows: (i) Farm record, (ii) Land preparation, (iii). Planting method, (iv) Seeding
service management, (v) Fertilizer management (vi) Weed management, (vii) Combine
harvester machine management, (viii) Selling, and (ix) Internal control system management.
4) Valuable lessons learned concerning sustainable rice area based extension included: (i)Good knowledge transfer of sustainable rice production through group actions, (ii) Limitedaccess through machinery service of introduced technology, and (iii) Economy of scale inarea based management extension planning between cultivated areas and market capacity.
Keywords sustainable rice production, area based management extension, Ubon
Ratchathani Province

INTRODUCTIONⒸ ISERD1IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

Present day Thai rice farmers are smallholders with around 2.88 hectares per household (Apichart,2014). Generally, only 1-2 elderly people work on each farm as husband and wife and employ nopermanent labor. To provide effective extension support to smallholder farmers, the Ministry ofAgriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) has promoted area based management extension to enhancecapacity to capably deal with the rice value chain. Furthermore, the current trend of the global ricesector is looking toward sustainability in sourcing rice production and resource consumption
through global collaboration under the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP). This is a multistakeholder platform co-convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and theInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to promote resource efficiency and sustainability intrade flows, production, consumption and supply chains in the global rice sector (Overview of
Sustainable Rice Platform, 2017).
The two farmers’ groups in Det Udom District, Ubon
Ratchathani Province as shown in Fig. 1, follow Good
Agriculture Practice (GAP) as ‘Best Practices Group’, and are
keen to learn about new rice farming methods. They operate
as Community Rice Centers (CRCs) and have also been
participating in Area Based Management Extension andSustainable Rice Production Pilot Testing Projects run by theThai Rice Department and Better Rice Initiative Asia(Thailand) Project through cooperation between GIZ, Bayer,and Olam. These two farmers’ groups have objectives toimprove the capacity of their members by applying area based
management extension to deliver rice to the market at asustainable value. Therefore, this research was conducted toinvestigate group improvements regarding their objectives.
Fig. 1 Location of farmers’ group
OBJECTIVES
The following issues were investigated to 1) study area based management extension forsustainable rice farmers’ groups, 2) analyze the current situation regarding area based management
extension of these groups, 3) identify key actions for group improvement after applying area based
management extension, and 4) appraise the lessons learned.
METHODOLOGY
Research Approach
Qualitative research was administered in the case study.
Research Population
The research population consisted of 77 farmers as members of Bua Ngam Community Rice Center(32 farmers) and Klang Community Rice Center (45 farmers) in Det Udom District, Ubon
Ratchathani Province. These two community rice centers also received support from the Ministryof Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) and the Better Rice Initiative Asia (BRIA) Project for an
area based management extension approach.
Data Collection
1) Forums were organized to assemble qualitative data from 32 Bua Ngam Community Rice CenterMembers and 45 Klang Community Rice Center members including group leaders and committeemembers.
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-12) Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants to collect data involvedin transferring knowledge of sustainable rice production and market linkages including groupchairmen, committee members and extension officers.
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed for content.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. General Information Regarding the Groups Participating in Area Based Management
Extension for Sustainable Rice Production
Bua Ngam Community and Klang Community Rice Centers consist of rice farmers’ groups in Det
Udom district, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Northeastern Thailand. Fundamentally, Community
Rice Centers (CRCs) are organized to provide quality seed supply to rice farmers. Seed production
requires intensive cultivation and good crop knowledge; however, the Thai seed market is limited,with pre-orders insufficient to share among all members in the group, and farmers also need toproduce their own grain. Usually, farmers produce gain as uncertified or conventional rice. The
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has been promoting area based management programs ormega-farm projects by supporting CRCs to increase their capacity for knowledge transfer andmarket linkage. These two CRCs participated in area based management extension programs togain knowledge regarding input supply management and good cultivation techniques such as seed
selection, organic fertilizer, bio-pesticides, straw and stubble management. They also received
support through the provision of certified seed, soil test analysis, and seeding machines.
In addition, these two CRCs participated in the Sustainable Rice Production Pilot Testing
Project. They now have high potential to reach a sustainable rice standard and become part of a
new sustainable rice value chain with economy of scale and good basic rice cultivation. During thepilot testing project, these two CRCs were encouraged to gain knowledge of sustainable riceproduction and sustainable rice value chain, designed with reference to SRP standards andindicators developed by the IRRI and SRP. The project began by recruiting 77 interested farmers asvolunteers. An introductory meeting was held with the two CRCs and project officials to formulate
operation plans. Initially, all interested farmers were asked to change their production practices anda production target of sustainable rice was set at 550 metric tons for the 2016/2017 crop, withpurchase guaranteed at a competitive market price.
2. Analysis of the Current Situation Regarding the Area Based Management Extension for
Sustainable Rice Farmers’ Groups
The CRCs desired to improve their rice cultivation practices and attain certification as ‘sustainable
rice standard’, with ability to link with the sustainable rice value chain. Some committee members
and members of the CRCs volunteered to implement sustainable rice production. Sustainable riceproduction knowledge was new to all the farmers. The two farming groups interacted with theproject by joining the pilot testing process implemented by the Thai Rice Department and BRIA
(2017b). The objectives were to 1) receive sustainable rice production program introduction, 2)
benchmark current practices to the sustainable standard, 3) analyze the risks faced during riceproduction, 4) attend training, 5) undergo participatory monitoring and follow-up farmers’
practices, 6) be audited by an external auditor, 7) organize a participatory harvesting plan, 8)
monitor a selling plan, and 9) participate in an after action review workshop. Before participatingin the program, all 77 interested farmers were assessed based on their current practice against thecompliance score of the SRP standard. Average score was 74.5%. After participating in theprogram, their average compliance score assessed by a third-party auditor increased to 84%
classified by the ‘Working toward Sustainability’ level.
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

Farmers were trained to apply sustainable rice production, which complied with the standard;
however, the sustainable rice produced by these farmers also required good management anddelivery to the market as sustainable value chain. Sustainable rice was distinguished fromconventional rice. Economies of scale in terms of numbers of participating farmers, expected paddy
volumes, milling capacity and internal group management were all considered by the groups formarket linkage planning. Initially, the farmers planned to produce around 500 metric tons ofsustainable rice but when the selling season ended only 298 metric tons were delivered for milling.
Furthermore, the market linkage aspect of area based management extension enhanced farmers’
capacity to reach the market. This is an important incentive mechanism for farmers, similar to themarket-oriented extension paradigm that links the private sector and farmer (Swanson & Rajalahti,2010).
Table 1 Challenge topic, objective, Group Action, and action result in year 2016
Challenge Topic

Objective

Group Action in 2016

1. Farm record

100% Farmers
must be able tomonitor farmrecords bythemselves.
To attain good
land leveling.

1. Farmers’ groups attended a stepby-step farm record workshop
organized by extension officers,
2. Farmers’ groups continued
recording by themselves.
1. Farmers’ groups received direct
training from extension officers.

3. Planting
methodReduce seed rateby applying aseeding method.

1. Farmers’ groups received direct
training from extension officers.

4. Seeding
servicemanagement

Provide services
to all members ontime.

5. Fertilizer
management

Increase yield andlower input costby applying
suitable fertilizer
formula atappropriate rate
and time.
Improve yield andapply safety
methods if thefarmer uses
herbicides.
All farmer canaccess a combine
harvester on time.

1. Farmers’ groups received seedingmachines from the Area BasedManagement Extension Program.
2. Farmers’ groups conducted
Demo Training on a plot for theseeding machine together withextension officers.
1. Farmers’ groups received direct
training in soil and nutrient
management by experts.
2. Farmers’ groups sent their soil tobe analyzed.

2. Landpreparation

6. Weedmanagement

7. Combine
harvestermachinemanagement
8. Selling

9. Internal
control systemmanagement

Action Results in 2016
90% of farmers could record theirown data with around 80%
completing the record sheets.
Only 50% of farmers applied
conventional leveling in small areasdue to financial difficulties andtechnology/service provider
availability in the area.
80% of farmers applied broadcasting
methods while only 20% applied aseeding machine due to lack ofmachine availability.
Only 20 % of farmers used theseeding machine as time constraints
resulted from late machine arrivaland some farmers had already planted
their crops. More planting machines
are required.
80% of farmers applied suitablefertilizers.
Soil test results came late. Farmers
applied fertilizer following generalrecommendations.

1. Farmers’ groups received direct
training from extension officers.

Only 10% of farmers applied
herbicides. 20% of farmers used hand
weeding and 70% used hand weeding
and cutting.

1. Group harvesting and selling
plans were organized for farmers’groups.

60% of farmers had access to a
combine harvester machine on time.

Deliversustainable rice
volume as agreed.

1. Group harvesting and selling
plans were organized for farmers’groups.

To have selfinspection within
farmers groups.

1. Farmers’ groups have been
implementing internal inspection
for seed production.

60% of the total crop was sold to theselected millers. This did not meet
the agreed amount because farmers
kept some rice for personal
consumption and seed.
70% of farmers could do selfinspection for seed production. Thiswas not yet implemented forsustainable grain.

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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

3. Action Identified for Farming Group Improvement after Applying Area BasedManagement Extension
The two area based management extension farmers’ groups also participated in a pilot testing
project as mentioned earlier. At the end of the sustainable rice production in 2016, the 77 farmers
participated in a workshop to review their actions and the results of their actions. Challenge topics
were identified and selected by the farming group committees, the Thai Rice Department and theBRIA Project. Audit reports were also examined by third-party auditors. Results of the challenge,group action and action results are shown in the Table 1.
4. Lessons Learned
Valuable lessons learned from the sustainable rice area based extension model were categorized
into three aspects as follows:
4.1 Good knowledge transfer of sustainable rice production through group actions: Farmers
were audited and received an average compliance score of 84% of the SRP standard (Thai Rice
Department & BRIA, 2017a). Scores indicated a good understanding, with improvement shown by
these farmers after implementing the participatory actions of attending direct training fromextension officers (experts regarding the topics), attending special workshops, attending
demonstrations at training plots and also receiving some machines or service. There were no major
issues noted by the farmers at either of the two community rice centers; however, no farmers
implemented good land leveling due to lack of a reliable and efficient technology service providers
available in the area. Most of the farmers did not use any herbicides, pesticide, or fungicides andthis resulted in a high weed problem. Refer to post survey report from BRIA demo training plot in2017. Farmers who implemented good seeding machine technique and good weed control
increased gross profit margin by 53.90% through input cost reduction and higher yield (Departmentof Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2017). The Farmers’ Diary workshop that provided stepby-step training was a key success factor and encouraged farmers to record important data related
to crop production by themselves. Group actions significantly improved sustainable rice production.
4.2 Limited access through machinery service of introduced technology: The Farmers had agood understanding of sustainable rice production with intention to apply the newly introduced
technology; however, there were limitations with regard to machine hire service providers
including seeding machines, good land leveling machines, and combine harvesters. The farmers
realized that seeding machines could reduce their seed rate but numbers of seeding machines wereinsufficient. Demonstration of a large field project trial in Thailand using mechanized seeding(drum seeder) indicated significant gains in rice farming profitability. Farmers realized that yield
can be improved using mechanized seeding machines (Stuart et al., 2017). Farmers tried to reserve
combine harvesters when 80% to 85% of their rice grains were ripe but numbers of these machines
were limited. Therefore, as well as knowledge transfer, machine management or service provider
management should be considered in area based management extension projects.
4.3 Economy of scale in area based management extension and planning of cultivated areaand market capacity: Sustainable rice segregation requires matching milling capacity (drying andstorage capacities) and wet paddy. Participating farmers had to be well-organized with propermanagement. Most farmers grew the Hom Mali rice variety. This variety is photoperiod sensitiveand ready for harvest by early November. In addition, farmers used combine harvesters and sold
wet paddy to the miller. The number of farmers and the harvested area size must match theavailable milling capacity. The capacity of one drying machine is around 500 metric tons per day.
Farmers’ groups planned, through the project, to deliver 500 metric tons from 77 farmers. It wasimpossible to harvest the rice of 77 farmers in one day and deliver the product to the selected miller
to maintain full milling capacity. Another issue was that when the crop was harvested, only 298
metric tons were sold to the selected miller because the farmers kept some of their production for
consumption and seed supply. Therefore, area based management extensions must address theeconomy of scale between market capacity and farmers/cultivated area as one of the key successfactors to build a new sustainable rice supply chain.
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IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2018) 9-1

CONCLUSION
A total of 77 farmers from two community rice centers in Det Udom District, Ubon Ratchathani
Province participated in the Area Based Management Extension Project organized by the MOAC,and also SRP pilot testing through cooperation between the Thai Rice Department and BRIA
Thailand. The farmers received training regarding sustainable rice production through learning
activities with extension officers including attending direct training sessions and special workshops.
After participating, using the existing farmers’ group structure of mega-farm projects,
benchmarking with current practices and receiving additional sustainable rice production
knowledge, the 77 farmers were able to produce rice sustainably. In addition, the area based
management extension should involve more farmers. When farmers are introduced to a newtechnology, machine and service provider management should be taken into account. Furthermore,market linkage management in terms of economy of scale between market capacity (especiallydrying capacity of the miller) and cultivated size under area based management extension weredetermined as key success factors for farmers to link with the market and develop a newsustainable rice supply chain.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research team would like to thank Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thai Rice
Department, and Better Rice Initiative Asia through cooperation between GIZ, Bayer, BASF, andOLAM, and the community members that made this research possible.
REFERENCES
Apichart Pongsrihadulchai. 2014. Area based management extension. Handouts presented at Provincial
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Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 2017. Post survey study report. Kasetsart University,
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Singleton, G. and Lampayan, R.M. 2017. The application of best management practices increases theprofitability of rice farming in the central plains of Thailand. Field Crops Research, 220, 78-87.
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