Nong Wah project enters new phase
Sjerven, J.S.
Agribusiness Worldwide 11(5): 35-36
1989
Document Number: 269683
Nong Wah is an experimental farming village in Thailand. It was established 11 years ago as a result of an initiative by the Charoen Pokphand Group to create a new farming model that could facilitate the introduction of highly productive, Western-origin hybrid pigs and modern pig raising methods to Thai farmers. The pig fattening company, the Nong Wah Farming Village Company Ltd., has gathered sufficient revenues from the sale of fattened pigs to justify paying out a dividend to its owner-shareholders, the farmers, which will average between 6000 and 7000 Baht per family (between $240 to $280). The concept behind the project is that farmers, given the opportunity, the financial start-up assistance and advice, can engage in profitable integrated agricultural activities, raising themselves from subsistence to commercial farming. Aspects of the project are described, namely: the role of governmental and bank funding; farmers' activities under the project; the fattening facility; and a mango production sub-project also managed by the village company. The village is a model of what can be achieved when a cooperative effort is made by farmers, government agencies, the financial community and private sector.