Development for Vegetable Production and Supply to Modern Trade Stores of the Commercial Vegetable Growers Group in Sa Kaeo Sub-District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

The commercial vegetable growers’ group in Sa Kaeo sub-กistrict, Pueai Noi district, Khon Kaen province is a group of farmers producing vegetables to sell to a private company and deliver to a modern trade store. The main problem and obstacle of this group is insufficient production volume to meet the private companies’ demand to deliver to a modern trade store. Twenty-five growers joined in Participation Action Research to solve problems and develop vegetable production potential. The processes include the following. 1) The group plans and identifies the knowledge needed to solve problems and develop their potential for vegetable production such as water management, soil, and fertilizer management, organic vegetable cultivation, disease, and insect prevention, production and use of microbial pesticides, and vegetable production in a mosquito net. 2) The farmer’s group put their knowledge into practice in their farm. 3) Participants share and exchange knowledge through monthly group meetings and field visits to a member’s farm. Four major findings are reported. Firstly, 13 new types of vegetables are produced and sold. Secondly, the project increases the vegetable production group’s volume by 60%. Thirdly, the group’s income increased by 65%. Fourthy, this research also motivates the growers’ confidence in sharing and transferring their knowledge. They are confident to express their opinions when problems arise. In summary, they are proud and inspired to produce vegetables and strengthen the commercial vegetable grower group to continue these activities.