“Days of Transfer and Learning Exchange for Integrated and Targeted Poverty Reduction, Burning Reduction and PM 2.5 Dust”

On February 20, 2567, Mae Na Chon Subdistrict Administrative Organization led by Mr. Sambun Payao, Chairman of Mae Na Chon Subdistrict Administrative Organization, participated in the event “Transfer and Learning Exchange Day for Integrated and Targeted Reduction of Poverty, Burning and PM 2.5 Particulate Matter” at Ban Mae Wak Mae Na Chon Subdistrict Mae Chaem District Chiang Mai Province, with the honor of the Minister Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives presiding over the opening ceremony to integrate the sustainable solution of burning in farming areas through the development of land use maps, zoning of forest areas, agricultural areas, food areas, and environmentally friendly agriculture systems by growing vegetables in small-scale, high-income shed crops.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has a policy to generate income, create opportunities and create quality of life by doing agriculture that is environmentally friendly, especially the problem of PM 2.5 dust. The Institute for Research and Development of High-altitude Areas (IRDA) is the main unit in developing high-altitude areas, preventing and resolving the problem of PM 2.5 dust in the agricultural sector by applying knowledge from the National Project and from research results to adapt the agricultural system that is environmentally friendly to generate income and also help reduce burning in agricultural areas, which is one of the causes of PM 2.5 dust under the process of participation with communities and various agencies by managing database management, development of water resources, management of agricultural materials for fertilizer soil improvement and biomass as well as certification of safe food standards (GAP PM 2.5 Free), marketing and promotion. Logistics, as a whole, under a participatory process of all stakeholders.

Ms. Perada Yasukhi, Deputy Director of the Institute for Research and Development of Highlands, said that the Institute has implemented the “Highland Development Project” focusing on sustainable solutions to community problems in the local context through the process of participation with communities and various agencies in the economic, social and environmental fields as well as supporting the necessary infrastructure. The initiative is aimed at promoting the use of alternative crops that are rapidly yielding, space-saving and water-saving, with communities or areas of good practice recognized nationally and internationally.

Based on the past results, which have resulted in success and benefits for many highland communities, the success of the Ban Mae Wak pilot area has been scaled up to other highland communities under the collaboration of the Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA), the community and all sectors, along with the application of research, technology and innovation to meet the problems and social context of each area, leading to the reduction and management of hotspots and burns scars in agricultural areas that are part of the source of PM2.5 in the urgent target area of the Upper North, especially the Mae Chaem District, which is a major target.
Ms. Phetchada Yusuk added that participants included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, experts from the Agricultural Research Development Agency, Highland Research and Development Institute staff, the soil, water and forest management working group for Mae Chaem District, relevant agencies, local farmers, farmer networks and the public. The event featured 6 learning stations, comprising:
1) Preparation and management of a database of exhibition successes of important research and development work both in the area of the highland development project of the Grand Project and in each dimension of development.
2) Growing income-generating forests, economic trees, fruit trees, standing trees, coffee.
3) Management of agricultural waste materials (bulking, biomass, animal feed)
4) Management of agricultural waste materials (ploughing, fertilizer, fertilizer).
5) Farming in environmentally friendly systems
6) Organic vegetables in the greenhouse + Eco Brand