The approach of Srisangdao Rice Drop Seeding Village Project
No burning of rice fields, stop creating pollution, accumulate soil treasures
Thung Kula Rong Hai can be compared to a rice cradle where farmers are blessed with soil, water, and air as gifts from nature. This enables the cultivation of rice with a unique fragrance and softness that differs from rice grown elsewhere. With this identity, Thung Kula Rong Hai Jasmine Rice became the first Thai product to be registered as a 'Geographical Indication' (GI) product in the European Union.
Environtment
Srisangdao Rice that originates from Thung Kula Rong Hai
The link between man and rice is undeniable. Thailand geographical conditions make it perfect for agricultural, giving it the name “Cradle of Rice and Water”. Our ancestors have left us with a vast heritage of a rice growing culture that is our way of life, and our rice not only feeds the entire Thai population, but is also exported to kitchens around the world, creating food stability.
30 years ago, the Land Development Department transformed this land into one of the world's top rice-growing areas. After the Rice Department searched for premium rice varieties from across the country, they selected two jasmine rice strains: 'Khao Dawk Mali 105' and 'RD15' to advance to the final round. The seeds were distributed for trial cultivation in various areas. It turned out that the Northeastern region, especially in the Thung Kula Rong Hai area, became the largest and best jasmine rice growing area in the country.
Chaff benefits
The husks left from milling rice is a form of biomass that can be used to make clean energy to replace fossil fuels which is a form of non-renewable energy, as well as coal which is detrimental to the environment. Srisangdao Biopower Co Ltd was established under the concept of Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, to recycle waste from the manufacturing process to achieve Zero Waste, and increase value added for rice husks. The husks are burned to created steam that is used to power generators to create electricity for our own use, and to sell to the state.
Inspiration of Srisangdao Rice
The link between man and rice is undeniable. Thailand geographical conditions make it perfect for agricultural, giving it the name “Cradle of Rice and Water”. Our ancestors have left us with a vast heritage of a rice growing culture that is our way of life, and our rice not only feeds the entire Thai population, but is also exported to kitchens around the world, creating food stability.
Rice husks from rice milling are recycled into packaging, with an eco-friendly concept that reflects the identity and origin of Thung Kula Rong Hai jasmine rice, winning design awards from many countries worldwide. Thung Kula Rong Hai is comparable to a rice bowl for farmers, with soil, water, and air like gifts from nature, allowing them to grow rice with a uniquely fragrant and soft texture different from rice grown elsewhere. With this identity, Thung Kula Rong Hai jasmine rice became the first Thai product to be registered as a 'Geographical Indication' (GI) in the European Union.
Crop burning = Burning our heritage
Environment
Most rice farmers still misunderstand that crop burning to clear the land in preparation for seeding is easier that ploughing the crop residue, and reduces costs.
What they don’t realise is that crop burning also destroys the topsoil, especially the mineral sediments that are brought by the water, as well as the organic remains from past crops over the generations. All this will be destroyed through crop burning. When there are no more nutrients in the soil necessary for plant growth, farmers have to resort to chemical fertilisers. Furthermore, crop burning creates PM 2.5 dust particles that pollute the environment.
Assets in the soil
The Srisangdao Direct Seeding (Na Yot) Village Project therefore tried to encourage farmers to till the fields with rice chaffs as a form of plot preparation which is an ecosystem restoration method, increasing organic elements into the soil, while the nutrients from annual fertilisers are still present, essentially accumulating “assets in the soil”. This rich soil is perfect for growing rice, enabling farmers to reduce their dependence on expensive chemical fertilisers, and thereby reducing their costs drastically. And after ploughing to incorporate the crop residue for several onsecutiveyears, there will be no more need for chemical fertilisers at all.
Content Detail
preventive rice cultivation