There was an eclectic mix of people at Bo.lan restaurant recently at the “Farmers’ Friends Party: Happy Consumers, Happy Farmers” event to launch Farmers’ Friend Rice. Rice farmers and millers from Yasothon province mingled with a former prime minister, restaurateurs, academics and socialites, all with a single desire to see organic rice farming thrive.
The dinner event was hosted jointly by Farmers’ Friend Rice, Yasothon Organic Farmers’ Cooperative under the Earth Net Foundation, Big Trees Project and Bo.lan, and served to connect city dwellers with organic rice farmers in an attempt to launch Farmer’s Friend Rice, 100% organic premium jasmine rice, and introduce an annual membership programme for consumers.
The annual membership programme, in which members pay for a year’s supply of rice in advance, directly supports farmers who have switched from chemicals to organic farming, and every kilogramme of rice sold supports funds to ensure farmers’ security and sustainable agriculture.
The Farmers’ Friend Rice project was started by Big Trees Project, led by Oraya Sutabutr. Its target is to increase the volume of organic rice consumption in Thailand.
Earth Net Foundation, on the other hand, has supported farmers who practise organic farming, free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides, for the past 20 years. The organic rice produced by this cooperative is of high quality.
This project has reached out to friends, families and organisations to buy organic jasmine rice directly from farmers on an annual basis.
According to Ms Oraya, the annual advance membership fee helps to guarantee farmers’ rice sales and allows them to grow their annual crop without having to borrow money, as is often the case for rice farmers, leading to a vicious debt cycle. Consumers also buy directly from farmers, bypassing middlemen. The harvest will be due in December.
The first part of the evening commenced with a tasting of food and drinks freshly made from organic produce from Yasothon, while musicians from the province playing traditional instruments entertained guests. Yasothon farmers also demonstrated a traditional rice planting ceremony.
During this session, Tawatchai Tositrakul, one of the founders of the Earth Net Foundation and a pioneer of organic agriculture in Thailand, took to the stage and talked about organic farming, not as a technique but as a physically and spiritually wholesome lifestyle.
“From my experiences through work with the foundation over the past years, Thai farmers have long faced three majors problems — a lack of working capital, resulting in being trapped by debt; natural disasters including droughts and floods; and the risk of a market price that is sometimes too low, sometimes lower than the cost of production.”
The Farmers’ Friend Rice project not only helps to overcome these obstacles, but is considered a form of both agricultural and social reform. It can help to improve the quality of life of farmers and connects them directly with consumers without the need for government intervention.
Another foundation taking part in this programme was the Father Ray Foundation which operates the SOS Rice programme, accepting Farmers’ Friend Rice donations for underprivileged and handicapped children in their care.
The second part of the evening was the actual dinner, where distinguished guests from various sectors, including former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, Jingjai Hanchanlash and Khunying Tipyavadi Pramoj na Ayudhya were invited to join a dinner prepared by Bo.lan with organic jasmine rice and other ingredients from Yasothon.
The dinner was followed by a traditional puk siew friendship ceremony.
The ceremony was conducted by a village elder, with member number one, Mr Anand, being the first to have a symbolic string tied around his wrist.
Later that evening, Vichien Pongsathorn was announced the guest with the biggest rice order — at 1.75 tonnes. He then received a painting exclusively created for Farmers’ Friend Rice by Chalit Nakpawan.
Apichart and Vassanapong Vichaiya topped the list of those who pledged to help sell the largest volume of rice (five tonnes) after the party. The two received a painting from Prang Vejjajiva. The party was concluded after taking rice orders worth more than 800,000 baht.
To become a member, call 08-1643-9240 or visit www.facebook.com/farmersfriendrice/info.
