October '99: Thai Prime Minister meets with IPM Farmers

On 3rd October the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Chuan Leekpai, spent the afternoon with IPM farmers at Baan Lhan village, Manoran District in Chainat Province. The farmers had previously attended a Field School organised by staff of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) with support from FAO.

During the visit, the farmers made a presentation on the harmful consequences of using pesticides and the benefits of IPM. They explained how they conduct agro-ecosystem analysis, and answered a number of questions from the Prime Minister.

The discussions took place in an open-sided shelter where farmers hold regular meetings. After talking to the IPM group, Mr. Leekpai inspected a "Farmers Field Lab" where the group are rearing insect parasites and fungi which are the natural enemies of certain pests. The Lab was constructed with funds from the local government in response to proposals made by the farmers. The PM also sowed a small plot of rice (see picture).

The activities of the IPM farmers in Baan Lhan have attracted the interest of farmers in neighbouring villages. At first the other farmers dismissed the idea that rice could be grown without pesticides, but now they asking the IPM group to organise training for them.

Before going to the village, Mr Leekpai visited the Regional Bio-control Centre run by the DOAE where he learned about some of the technical aspects of IPM. The efforts of the DOAE received a boost earlier this year when His Majesty the King of Thailand decided to make IPM a Royal Initiative. Since then the DOAE has organised five IPM Training of Trainers (TOT) courses, which have been managed by a newly established "Institute for Bio-Agriculture and Farmer Field Schools". The graduates of these TOT courses are expected to act as facilitators for Field Schools throughout the country, with the aim of creating many more groups like the one in Baan Lhan village.

For more information about the IPM Programme in Thailand, you can contact Mr. Lakchai Meenankanit, Director of the Institute of Bio-Agriculture and FFS. Fax: (662) 5790280. Email: mena@mozart.inet.co.th

This is not the first time a Head of State has visited IPM training activities in Asia. In February of this year the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, visited a TOT course at Gazipur, to the north of the capital Dhaka . Last year, the Vice President of Indonesia, Try Sutisno, joined a meeting of IPM Farmer Trainers. Previously, President Ramos of the Philippines visited an IPM Farmer Field School.

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