Mae Moh Modernizes Farming: Focus on Sustainable Practices

The agricultural community of Mae Moh in Lampang Province is undergoing major changes, adopting modern and eco-friendly farming techniques. Fresh vegetables like red and green oak, kale, and cos lettuce are flourishing, marking a move towards Smart Farming in the region.

Located in the Ban Dong district of Mae Moh, near hilly areas unfit for conventional farming, the community has taken to modern technology for better crop yield. They utilize indoor vertical farming and organic methods to raise chemical-free vegetables, offering a steady source of income. Young people manage these initiatives under the Mae Moh Agricultural Community Co., Ltd.

The shift from standard to vertical farming is backed by the Mae Moh Livable City Project of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The project aims to evolve community businesses into social enterprises by converting public spaces into model areas, with help from the Plant Factory startup, Distar Fresh Co., Ltd.

Vertical farming enables controlled indoor crop growth in stackable layers that are carefully monitored for water, nutrients, and light with LED lights instead of sunlight. This method saves space, allows all-year farming regardless of the seasons, and reduces the risks posed by weather, pests and natural disasters.

Special care is taken in this sterile environment to grow high-value crops like kale, Swiss chard, and mizuna. Workers wear protective gear to avoid contamination. The operation currently produces up to one ton per month, the highest in northern Thailand.

The community sells these fresh vegetables that cater to the health-focused market. While some produce is distributed through Distar Fresh under an OEM arrangement, others are sold online under the Mae Moh Fresh brand, opening up new economic opportunities.

In addition to vertical farming, EGAT Mae Moh has developed six organic farming greenhouses with the community and other partners. These greenhouses cultivate organic vegetables with the help of insect nets, water regulation systems, and tabletop planting. There is no need for chemicals as they have ways to keep weeds away.

This project aims to set up an all-inclusive organic farming model and boost agritourism. It generates income from selling produce and offering jobs that pay daily or per hour. Organic farms currently produce three to five tons per month.

Farmbook, a networking platform, matches farmers with buyers, allowing farmers to grow crops based on market needs. All vegetables sold are under Makro's Aro brand, reaching customers nationwide.

Mae Moh Agricultural Community has plans to expand its organic farming and work towards achieving Net Zero status, thereby eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to set up the Mae Moh Agricultural Community Co., Ltd. as a social enterprise, reinvesting all profits back into the business for long-term growth.

To order fresh vegetables from Mae Moh Agricultural Community, contact Line ID: @maemohfresh or call 08 0747 7599.

File photo for reference only

-- 2024-08-27

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