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| The primary purpose of the New Theory is to enable farmers to become more self-reliant and self-sufficient. It is based on the discovery in 1993 that only 0.4 per cent of Thai farm households were practicing any form of sustainable farming, leaving them vulnerable to the vagaries of nature and the markets. New Theory proposes guidelines for the proper management of land and water resources. At its heart is a scheme to dig ponds to ensure an adequate supply of water during the dry season. It also envisages planting only one crop of rice per year and sowing crops that require little water particularly during the dry season between February and June. |
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The concept behind His Majesty's New Theory is to ensure that his people would be in a position of self-sufficiency in agriculture. When water is adequate, they will be able to plant their annual rice crop. During the dry season, when water becomes scarce, they will still be able to use the water that has been saved in the pond in their own plot of land to cultivate any crop, or even a second rice crop. |
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3 Phases of Implementation
Phase 1:
It begins with the understanding that, according to statistics, a Thai farmer's household owns an average of 15 rai (2.4 hectares) of land. With this approach, land is divided into four portions. Each portion is devoted to a different farm activity. Thus: 30 percent is reserved for a pond to provide water during the dry season, and for fish propagation; 30 percent is set aside for rice cultivation sufficient for year-round home consumption; 30 percent is for an integrated garden of vegetables and fruits; and 10 percent is allocated for a house, livestock enclosures, mushroom nursery, paths and roads. Ideally, the farmer would dig a pond four metres deep, with a storage capacity of 19,000 cubic metres, sufficient to ensure a year-round supply of water. Topsoil from the pond excavation would be laid over infertile land for later cultivation. |
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An important feature of the approach is multiple cropping to avoid dependence on rice. Thus, the cultivation of rice is supplemented by that of vegetables, fruit and trees as well as fisheries and animals. It is best to integrate crops and animals in their farming -- animals consume agricultural scraps and produce manure for natural fertiliser. Trees are essential to the success of the New Theory because they can prevent bank slippage in the ponds and provide vital nutrients in the family diet. Such diversified farms are more resilient to natural and economic fluctuations.
Phase 2:
Successful farmers join together to form cooperatives to procure basic supplies and market their products. They can also assist in communal crop selection, soil preparation, irrigation, grain storage, construction of rice mills and other mutually-beneficial farm activities.
Phase 3:
The cooperatives establish a communal fund to finance other activities. As a cohesive unit it can also secure credit lines with banks to finance more advanced projects. |
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