Letters | Amid global food insecurity, Thailand’s Khok Nong Na model shows a way forward
- The Thai agricultural model stems from the philosophy of sufficiency economy
- It calls for the building of a small weir to act as a water reservoir to maximise both land use and water retention
The philosophy advances fundamental principles of Thai culture based on moderation, prudence and self-immunity. It emphasises living within one’s means and with limited resources, thereby decreasing dependence on externalities and susceptibility to market volatility while increasing one’s control over the means of production and output.
The Khok Nong Na model, stemming from the philosophy of sufficiency economy, maximises both land use and water retention for agricultural production. The concept calls for the building of a small weir on a plot of land that acts as a reservoir to prevent flooding during the rainy season and acts as a source of water during the dry season.
Khok Nong Na is an amalgamation of three Thai words: First, a small ridge (khok) is built using the soil dug up from a swamp to grow plants and fruits for food and household income. Second, a weir (nong) runs through the plot of land with sufficient depth to store water for agricultural use while providing moisture to the land throughout the year. Third, there is the paddy field (na) in which organic, pesticide-free rice is grown with the aim of restoring essential nutrients to the soil. The overall objective of the Khok Nong Na model is to ensure food and financial security among the smallest units of society, thereby ensuring resilience of the food system for the country.
From the steep-stepped farmland of the north to the rain-soaked terrain of the south, agricultural best practices well suited to the country’s topographical features provide a steady stream of fresh produce that has been woven into the rich tapestry of Thai cuisine. Building upon his father’s legacy, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has guided the Thai people in applying the Khok Nong Na model to ensure that resilience of the food system remains one of Thailand’s crowning achievements in the years to come.
Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, president of the World Soil Association and former vice-minister of agriculture and cooperatives of Thailand
