Northern Thailand Agri-Based Diversification

Northern Thailand's geography is harsh, mountainous terrain. The ethnic minority groups there experience rural poverty and hardships, and have limited experience in environmentally-friendly employment activities and reforestation initiatives.

Pioneer is participating in a project, previously established by a well-known foundation to shift dependence from drug and human trafficking to cottage industries and tree crops, while also ensuring protection and restoration of the forest environment.

Pioneer was asked by the foundation to participate in improving grain production and increased livelihood and food security. Pioneer, through the Sustainable Agriculture and Development program, offers resources and guidance to the project, including:

• Product knowledge and best practice demonstrations
• Agronomic advice
• Value chain insight and partnership opportunities
• Information about mechanization and irrigation
• Alternative service and credit options including "seed for grain" exchange
  

Since the beginning of the project:

• Farmers have increased their income from grain
• Farmer maize yields have improved by approximately 20 percent
• 40 project staff and 40 village leaders have been trained in best practices for maize production
• Pioneer has established school feeding programs at the project schools