Banpu backs new farming approach in Lop Buri 

The villagers of Ban Khao Samorkhon Moo 1 have succeeded in reducing their debt burdens while at the same time improving their quality of life based on the “sufficiency economy” philosophy. 
”We have gained many opportunities through a positive attitude [to acquire] new knowledge from Banpu through the ‘Ban Khao Samorkhon Sustainable Development Project’,” said Arom Ruabruam, Moo 1 village head. 
“My family learned how to develop the fields into organic ones. Moreover, learning how to plant off-season limes and climbing wattles helped the villagers gain additional income. 
“Banpu helped us understand that sustainable development needed to start from self-management. At this time, our community has more income with fewer expenses, and we are becoming a stronger community,” she said. 
After short-term flood-relief efforts were completed at Ban Khao Samorkhon in 2012, the village collaborated with Banpu to operate medium-term activities that concentrated on economic development and skill improvement. 
In 2013, the “Ban Khao Samorkhon Farmers-for-Truth Fertiliser Fund” was launched as a microfinance venture for agriculture. The result was a reduction of the farmers’ debts, both formal and informal, and also provided a learning format for fund management and money saving. 
Additional activities such as the cultivation of climbing wattle (Thai cha-om) and waste-management initiatives were also applied with strong support from the farmers. 
“Banpu’s intention was to help Ban Khao Samorkhon Moo 1-3 develop a sustainable economy, and become a model of a strong community with ongoing self-reliance,” said Udomlux Olarn, head of corporate affairs at Banpu. She said they did this by heeding the developmental principles of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, “Understand, Achieve, and Develop”. 
She added that Banpu began the project by discussing with the villagers their problems and requirements. Once the company understood the situation, it supported development of various skills with learning opportunities and problem-solving mechanisms through real-life situations. 
Banpu says that based on its firm belief that learning powers constructive change and sustainable development of people and society, its corporate-social-responsibility activities emphasise the promotion and development of continued learning among young people and communities in various forms. 
Banpu says it supports sustainable development of communities and society through a number of learning opportunities, for both individuals and teams, ranging from learning through daily real-life experiences, and learning in and outside the classroom, to hands-on practices that enhance capabilities and skills. 
Udomlux said these aligned with Banpu’s belief that “learning is the power of change” that will lead to the sustainable development of communities. One day, when Banpu completes this project, it will help Ban Khao Samorkhon stand stronger, she said. 
A successful example of learning to find the right solution for the community given uncontrollable factors is the “Khao Samorkhon Organic Sinlek Rice” project, a long-term activity sponsored by Banpu since 2014. Sinlek is known for its quality and health benefits, but it is still largely an unknown strain of rice. Because of this limited awareness, there has been low consumer demand, and the droughts in the last two years made the situation more difficult. The farmers then had to adapt their fields from organic Sinlek rice to organic jasmine rice in order to serve greater market demand and capitalise on eco-friendly trends. 
To deal with frequent and severe droughts, the farmers reduced the number of rice fields and focused on an integrated agricultural plan, a collaboration among agricultural specialists, farmers, villagers and outside learning, to help them lessen the risk of monoculture. As a result, they now can sell their products throughout the year in addition to household usage, Udomlux said. 
Ban Khao Samorkhon Moo 1 has applied the six aspects of sufficiency economy: decreasing household expenditure, increasing income, money saving, learning, environmental preservation, and sustainable usage of natural resources, as well as |generosity. 
Ban Khao Samorkhon has become a model from which other rural communities can learn, Udomlux said.