Farmers in Thailand who have resisted monoculture plantations and are instead practicing agroforestry are “providing inspiration and hope for other farmers, government and consumers,” says an article in the Bangkok Post.

The article outlines how the World Agroforestry Centre is working with scientists from Chiang Mai University in Thailand to establish a research network and spread information about innovative farming techniques that respond to the challenges of food security and climate change. The collaboration involves researchers, farmers, governments and non-governmental organisations in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, China and Viet Nam.

While there has been a trend in Thailand towards expansion of monoculture systems based on rubber, oil palm and maize, some farmers have “seen the problems coming and made changes to their farming practices,” says the article. The results have been increased yields, healthier food, sustainable farming and improved incomes.

In Bua Yai in Nan province, northern Thailand, farmers such as Pongnapha Srina and her husband Nares have adopted a scheme called One Rai Organic Farming and Agroforestry. They have converted much of their farm to a mix of trees and annual crops

"We grow maize, rubber, sweet tamarind, upland rice, beans, medicinal plants, bamboo, banana, chilli pepper, coconuts, eggplant and papaya," says Srina. Impressed by the results, the Land Development Department now uses the farm as a learning centre.

Chamni Yodkaewruang in Phatthalung province says he is growing a range of trees which help prevent soil erosion and provide different products at different times. “It is a supermarket. We are food secure,” he says.

In Tamod subdistrict, Witoon Noosen grows his rubber trees in the jungle instead of in a plantation. “My kind of agroforest has been shown to yield more. If you look at my orchard you will see rubber and other trees and plants together, every one of which is valuable.”

Read the full story: Yielding results as the climate changes