The Grower Certification Scheme, Organic Farming, and Good Agricultural Practices workshop was conducted from February 25-27, 2023. This was the first phase of the workshop and focused on the participatory guarantee system (PGS), organic farming, and good agricultural practices.
The workshop had 75 participants, including 65 farmers from five different villages. The workshop aimed to elevate farmers to smart farmers by providing them with information to develop the PGS throughout the value chain.
A key activity of the workshop was the agricultural plot inspection, conducted by six field inspectors. The inspections provided valuable knowledge and served as encouragement for farmers interested in transitioning from traditional farming practices to certified SDGs-PGS agriculture.
The workshop also included a pre- and post-workshop knowledge assessment. The results indicated a significant increase in the participants’ understanding of sustainable agriculture, the goals for promoting sustainable agriculture, and the principles of organic agriculture. However, some age groups scored lower, possibly due to the length of the questions and a lack of understanding of their meaning.
Based on the assessment results and the overall workshop outcomes, the following recommendations were made to further support farmers’ engagement with organic certification:
- Simplifying Certification Requirements: The current audit and certification system for organic agriculture standards, conducted by independent third parties such as IFOAM or MGOS, has strict and complicated requirements. It may not be suitable for local sales or smallholder farmers. Consider exploring alternative certification approaches that are more feasible and appropriate for local farmers, taking into account their specific needs and resources.
- Emphasizing SDG-PGS Participatory Organic Agriculture Standards: The findings reveal that farmers in Bua Yai have knowledge and understanding of SDG-PGS Participatory Organic Agriculture Standards. Encourage the active participation of producer groups and the local community in formulating agreements that are tailored to the specific needs of farmers in the area. Regular auditing of the production process and ensuring traceability can enhance consumer trust and safety. Additionally, emphasize the inclusivity of small farmers in the organic society to promote their involvement and benefit from organic practices.
- Enhancing Knowledge and Activities: The low yield of Bua Yai farmers indicates the need to establish SDG-PGS Participatory Organic Agriculture Standards as a foundation. This will facilitate the implementation of activities and initiatives aimed at enhancing farmers’ knowledge and practices related to organic certification. Focus on providing education and training programs that empower farmers to improve their organic farming techniques and increase their yields.
Farmers demonstrated excellent cooperation in collecting agricultural products for the production of microbial compost and hormones. They are determined to reduce the usage of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, while actively seeking to increase the utilization of microbial fertilizers.
Farmers in Bua Yai village actively engaged in inspecting their plots with agricultural inspectors. Out of the 49 inspected agricultural plots, 39 received PGS certification in the first year of transition, while two farms obtained certification in the second year.
The training on composting, biological pesticides, and plant hormones fostered excellent collaboration among farmers, showcasing the strength of their network despite being from different villages. Farmers expressed satisfaction with the use of bio-fertilizers and biopesticides in their agricultural plots.
In conclusion, the workshop was a significant step towards promoting sustainable farming practices and climate-smart agriculture. The active participation of farmers, their willingness to transition from traditional farming practices to certified SDGs-PGS agriculture, and their commitment to reducing the usage of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are promising indicators of the future of sustainable agriculture in the region. The workshop’s success serves as a testament to the power of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the adoption of organic farming practices in advancing sustainable agriculture.