Tungtabkwai sufficiency economy learning center in Thung Sai Thong sub-district, Lam Thap district, Krabi constantly draws people from near and far to come participate and enjoy its grounds.
“This group will come and soon after another group joins. World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT)’s Thung Wa group from Satun just came here last week,” says pioneer member of Tungtabkwai sufficiency economy learning center, Mr Yongyut Suchada with a wide smile.
Before the center became such a beauty and well known across the river, Mr Somwing Noosiri, chairman and member had to arrange several treatments to improve the exterior grounds. Before, it was just a two rai plot that was overgrown with weeds. The group started the first treatment by making fermented fertilizer, Mr Somwing is a specialist in this field. Soon news reached Lam Thap Area Development Program (Lam Thap ADP) As some members are families of sponsored children. WVFT joined in and provided support.
“We received funds from WVFT to build a pig pen, buy pigs and feed for them. After raising the pigs we sold them. We used a portion of the income to buy piglets for more breeding. We also bought goats to breed. We have already raised and sold two batches of the goats. We now have another 16 goats,” Mr Yongyut reflected back on how far they have come.
Having completed two treatments, the once messy grounds fertile. Mr Somwing and the members first planted a basic vegetable patch based on the sufficiency economy agriculture. They dug a pond to raise frogs under newly planted climbing vegetables which will provide shade for the frogs. The members are also raising chickens to lay eggs and domestic chickens to sell, making chicken feed themselves to cut production costs.
“At first we mixed the feed with our own hands. As we made more, the effort was too much for us. We asked WVFT to support us with a food mixer and we are able to cut the food production costs in half. According to our estimation, one chicken eats 90 Satang of food each day. If we were to buy readymade feed, the cost would be 1.70 Baht for one chicken,” says Mr Yongyut.
The integrated farming project also raises catfish and cows. Pig dung is used productively to make biogas.
Mr Somwing and the group members have spent 2 years transforming the area to become a desired sufficiency economy learning center and it all started with pulling removing the weeds.
“The chairman, Mr Somwing has specifically stated that every member must go and apply the knowledge. He said that if we don’t have a genuine understanding of this center, how can we explain this to visitors when they come here? Therefore, everyone must plant a vegetable patch at home. Whether it is big or small will depend on the space that each person has. The chairman often emphasizes children’s participation clearing the weeds, watering, and harvesting vegetables. They will have a sense of pride as they join in. The members do not need to buy vegetables for consumption. They can also share them with their neighbors,” explains Mr Yongyut.
If any member wants to raise chickens, pigs, frogs, cows in addition to planting a vegetable patch by taking all the knowledge learned in the center and applying it, they can do so.
When every day life is linked with the center, it is natural that a bond is formed. Members will often bring their children along with them to the center to meet and exchange experiences as they relax and sip coffee together as though it was a park.
“The members’ kinship has helped us to arrive to this day. I’m very proud of them,” says Mr Yongyut with a smile.