THAILAND National IPM Programme

Facts and figures Operational since: 1999, with the establishment of the DOAE-Institute of Biological Control and Farmers Field Schools under Royal Patronage Implementing agency: DOAE in close partnership with provincial governments Partners: DOA, DNFE, Royal Project Foundation, DANIDA IPM Project, Thai Education Foundation Donors: FAO, DANIDA, Norway, AusAID, Provincial Governments FFS conducted: 15,000 Farmers trained: 75,035 (55 % female) Trainers active: 203 (20 % female) Main crops: Rice, Vegetable (crucifers), fruits and sugarcane

Achievements:
The Royal Thai Government has had a nearly two decade long association with the FAO supported IPM-FFS Programmes in the Asia Region. However, upscaling of farmer education, using the FFS approach, started in 1999 with the establishment of the DOAE Institute of Biological Control and Farmers Field Schools in Bangkok under Royal Patronage. Government decentralizations and a frequent succession of national governments in recent years have resulted in a diminished national government attention and support for IPM-FFS training in recent years. However, the current focus on promotion of Good Agricultural Practices and the recognition that farmers must practice IPM as part of GAP certification has resulted in renewed national interest and support for IPM-FFS training as part of GAP training programmes implemented by the DoAE. Meanwhile, provincial governments and various NGOs continue to support IPM-FFS farmer and rural youth training programmes.

Since 2005, the Royal Thai Government, with technical and financial support from the FAO Vegetable IPM Programme (project GCP/RAS/209/NOR), has been engaged in the rearing and field releases of the parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum for the control of Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) in highland brassica production systems in Thap Boek, Lomkao district, Phetchabun province. Releases also took place in the organic farms of the Royal Project Foundation (RPF) in Doi Angkhang, Chiangmai. Parasitoid field releases in Thap Boek were done in conjunction with season-long Farmer Field Schools (FFS) that provided the necessary IPM training to farmers. Surveys have shown that the parasitoid is now established in Thap Boek and Doi Angkhang and is providing solid biological control of DBM populations. As a result, farmers have reduced spray applications from 10-12 times to 2-3 times/season and some farmers have stopped spraying altogether. Farmers have also gained confidence in practising sustainable cabbage production through the use of other biocontrol agents and applying IPM knowledge gained through Farmer Field School. The pilot project, now fully supported by Provincial Governments and the Royal Project Foundation, has demonstrated the best way to conserve a clean environment, make optimal use of natural biological control for pest management and make cabbage production in the highlands more efficient through reduced input costs resulting from pesticide use reduction.

Sustainability:

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) have helped farmers understand about ecologically sound pest management which is crucial in helping farmers comply with GAP requirements., In particular, the use of biological control and IPM has helped reduce problems with pesticide residues, pest and microorganism contamination. The sustainability of implementing GAP is only possible with sustained practice of IPM. The national GAP programme or “Q GAP” will be adopted for all agricultural production for both domestic consumption and export markets. IPM has been institutionalized in the DoAE extension services through the development of IPM-GAP curriculum and the training of 100 IPM-FFS Facilitators as Master Trainers of IPM-GAP. In the pilot area in Petchabun province, 80% of farmers trained and practicing IPM have received GAP certification and this is expected to promote sustainability of IPM. The farmers in this area have been selected to grow safe vegetables for shops under the Royal Project Foundation.

In January 2009, recognizing the market potential of higher quality IPM produce, the Royal Project Foundation committed to support IPM farmers’ groups and the local DoAE as to continue biological control initiatives for pest management in vegetable production in Petchabun province. In addition to provision of market access for IPM farmers and support for infrastructure development such as water reservoirs for year-round irrigation, an estimated 500,000TBH per year is contributed for services of staff engaged in - and materials for production of - biological control agents.

Innovations:
The pilot project on the field releases of Diadegma semiclausum parasitoids and the use of other biological agents to manage pests in highland crucifer production has resulted in the integration of a fortified biological control module in the FFS curriculum. Under the national GAP programme, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) signed an MOU for Group Certification of IPM-FFS graduates. The DOA as the certification body develops the GAP guidelines and inspects the farms that register for certification. The DOAE as the advisory body supervises and trains farmers to produce the Q-GAP products by practicing IPM.

The contents of IPM-GAP curriculum was developed by DOAE and participatory training approaches have been introduced to government extension workers, farmers and private sector companies who enter into contract farming agreements with farmers.

For further information:
http://www.vegetableipmasia.org/Countries/thailand.htm