The Occupation of Raising Toxin-Free Vagetables and Isan Fresh-Food Market

Abstract

The 36 farmers in Ban Bak-jan Village in the 6th Hamlet, Sangkha Sub-district, Sangka District, Surin Province have engaged in toxin-free vegetable farming since year 1993. Although they mostly sell their produce at Sangka fresh-food market, some of them prefer to sell it at their roadside sheds next to their vegetable patches. The practice of toxin-free vegetable farming by these farmers not only results in positive health effects on both the farmers themselves and consumers alike, it is also economical in terms of land use. For instance, each of the farmer families needs only about 1 rai (about 1600 square meters) to grow their vegetables which bring sufficient yields for them to live a decent life. Their average income of 30,000 Thai Baht/month is 56 times higher than doing regular rice farming. Furthermore, vegetables that have been so damaged by insects that cannot be sold in the markets do not go to waste. Rather, the farmers make use of them to feed their cattle which is on average about 6 - 7 cows/family. In addition, the cows’ droppings are used as fertilizers for their vegetable patches. Consequently, the farmers are able to increase their income from selling their cows and to save some money on chemical fertilizers. It is, therefore, suffice it to conclude that the farmers’ engagement in toxin-free vegetable farming for sale is a sustainable agriculture that should be highly supported from government.