Colloquium on an “Organic Cassava Case Study” Looking to Strengthen Thai SMEs

GTZ organized a colloquium on “The Cassava Case Study – A Solution to Prevent and Mitigate Climate Change and Food Shortages” at the National Economic and Social Development Board on the 3rd of July 2008.  Researchers from the Land Development Department, Thammasart University and Kasetsart University presented results of the study to improve cassava yields by employing organic cassava cultivation and the monitoring for climate change.  Results from the study clearly showed that organic cassava cultivation significantly increases crop yield, enriches the soil and reduces growers’ health risks associated with agrochemical mishandling.

This research is a component of the European Union assistance program.  The researchers collaborated with 20 growers in Nakorn Ratchasima to test and demonstrate organic cassava cultivation.  Biopesticides were used for insect control whereas rows of leguminous plants, alternating with cassava, were used for weed control.  Composts, made from agricultural wastes of cassava leaves and pulp, were used to fertilize the soil and nourish the cassava plants.  Vigorously growing cassava plants does not require chemicals to enhance their resistance to both diseases and pests. Moreover, the cassava yield grew by twofold and the production cost was significantly reduced.  Evidently, the practice has enriched the soil and increased the number of soil organisms. The successes in the 20 demonstration plots have convinced more than 200 growers to adopt the organic cassava cultivation practices.

Participants also learnt about the progress of Kasetsart University’s long-term research to monitor climate change, which has been on-going for more than 45 years (since 1963) with continuous assistance from the Japanese government.  Currently the 5 data collection stations are distributed in both natural forested areas and reforested teak plantations. The long-term research was driven under the ThaiFlux Network, a collaborative initiative of several Thai academic and research institutions, to collect and globally link climatic data. ThaiFlux has already established data collection sites in agricultural areas, including rice fields, rubber plantations, sugarcane fields and cassava fields as well as other sites.