Improving the reliability of rain-fed, rice/livestock-based farming systems in North East Thailand

Project ID:

CIM/2007/215

Collaborating Countries:

Thailand

Commissioned Organisation:

World Vision Australia, Australia

Project Leader

Mr Jonathan Treagust
Phone: 03 9287 2509
Fax: 03 9287 2377
Email: jonathan.treagust@worldvision.com.au

Collaborating Institutions:

Dr John Schiller, Australia
International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Laos
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Australia
World Vision Foundation of Thailand, Thailand
Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Project Budget:

$450,815

Project Duration:

01/03/2008 - 28/02/2011

ACIAR Research Program Manager

Dr John Skerritt

Project Overview

In 2001, ACIAR and World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) implemented a program of collaboration to foster greater application of the results of earlier ACIAR-funded research. Three programs - on fish-feed production, temperate fruit development and production of vegetables with reduced use of agrochemicals - helped World Vision to address specific technical challenges that communities had identified in different parts of the country. The projects were implemented in some of the poorest parts of Thailand and produced significant community impacts.

This project follows this model. It focuses on improving the reliability of rice/livestock-based farming systems in Mahasarakham Province in northeast Thailand, one of the poorest parts of the country that suffers from low soil fertility, salinity and acidity. The project also aims to further develop the paradigm of participatory research to assist World Vision agriculturalists working with farmer groups.