Khun Somchai Saeton is a farmer at Ban Phutakian, Tambon Tha Sao, Amphur Sai Yok in Kanchanaburi provice who successfully practices organic regenerative agriculture and shares his knowledge with other farmers. In the past Khun Somchai follow monoculture farming with aids of chemicals, believing the chemicals would increase productivity and profitability. He later learnt that chemicals shorten plant lifespan as the ecosystems and soil microbial community deteriorate more rapidly and are destroyed, not to mention the impact on human health. Over time, this farming method became unprofitable due to the need to use more fertilizers & their increasing prices.
Khun Somchai questioned why vegetables and fruits in his parents' time were strong and why crops were productive without relying on any chemicals. He then started to learn and practice different methods. Presently, he grows mixed crops and organizes them into 4 different levels based on height (tall, medium, low and cover crops). This gives an opportunity to grow a great variety of produce such as durian, rambutan, mayongchid, pomelo, papaya, lime, coconut, banana, coriander, chili, pumpkin, etc. He also plants sun hemp as cover crop to repel weeds and roundworms while also helping to restore moisture and rebuild soil ecosystems. He found that different plant species actually help one another to defend against viruses and insects. As a result, crops are strong and give good yields all year round driven by fertile soil ecosystems. It is not only safe for human but also profitable for the farmer.
His garden is shady and has beautiful ecosystem, demonstrating a rare example of successful implementation of regenerative agriculture in Thailand. Only-Good-Stuff store supports farmers who practice regenerative agriculture. We are proud to have an opportunity to bring safe and nutritious produce from Khun Somchai's garden to our shop. Come to visit our shop in Soi Sukhumvit 24 and try nutritious fruits from his garden without having to travel to Kanchanaburi.
