Farming Graduates

[MESmith]

Chiang Mai has a couple of universities with large agriculture faculties - CMU & Mae Jo.  Where do the graduates practise what they learn?   I live out in the sticks & the only people farming I see are the older folk, barely scraping by just above subsistence level, doing the same their ancestors did on land they don't own, except for the fact they now have the use of tractors for tilling the land etc.  Are there any commercial scale farms in the province, apart from the royal projects?  It seems to me that ALL land in the area is now considered prime development land & is priced as such, so what is the future for agriculture around Chiang Mai? 

[gpdjohn]

A friend of mine has her degree in "Farming" ( agriculture )from MaeJo U and is a waitress at a local pizza place in Chiang Mai.

I do not think her future is on the farm.

[Farma]

A niece with a degree in marine aquaculture now works as a travel agent.

A nephew with a degree in animal husbandry now works as the unofficial village vet.

[elektrified]

I've met a few Mae Jo graduates. Some are very successful with large farms of rare plants or trees that ship (in some cases) worldwide, have written books, etc. while some are only moderately successful or motivated and who have a little shop in Khamthieng Market or other places.