Mushrooming Success -- Sustainable Development in Thailand: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

MDG #1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

The key to program sustainability is for the program to become an important community resource.  In Thailand, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, in cooperation with the government and a disability organization, set up a self-supporting farming project, with participants returning to train new workers.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) joined the Thai government in a commitment to improve the livelihoods of rural disabled people in a step towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development. The FAO-initiated project Mushroom Production Training for Disabled People is located in the Northeastern Training Center for People with Disabilities in Ubon Ratchathani. Mushrooms were favored because they offer good market opportunities, as they are part of the daily Thai diet. Furthermore, they can be started at a very low cost while generating income within a short term.

A goal of the project was to establish economic self-reliance for rural disabled people as entrepreneurs. FAO assisted in strengthening the capacity of the local institution to train and prepare rural disabled people for equal participation in social and economic development at the family and community levels.

Training methods were developed to address specific needs and to assure replication and sustainability following training. Alternative ways of accomplishing certain tasks were developed to accommodate specific disabilities. Appropriate construction designs were introduced for trainees to set up their mushroom enterprise, using readily available materials, lowering set-up costs substantially. Every step involved in mushroom cultivation was reviewed during training, including entrepreneurship and environmental protection. Motivational sessions as part of the training contributed to personal development.

Forty-seven trainees successfully completed the 60-day training, went home and transferred acquired know-how to their family and community. All trainees set up mushroom houses, assuring them of daily food and income. They have gained the self-reliance and self-sufficiency to become active participants in their community. Six trainees married and established joint enterprises.  Five trainees returned to the center to become trainers and assist the original five trainers who work in the Department of Public Welfare. Trainers acquired new skills for enhancing the capacity of rural disabled people as entrepreneurs. This project's success can be attributed to the commitment of the Thai government, the FAO, consultants and project team members. The Department of Public Welfare already indicated the intent to replicate this training program at its center in Nong Khai. The FAO is preparing monitoring and evaluation tools along with training manuals to ensure feasibility, sustainability, and successful replication in future local and regional projects.

Contact:

Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations Headquarters
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy 
Telephone: (+39) 06 57051
Cable address: FOODAGRI ROME
Telex: 625852/610181 FAO I
Fax: (+39) 06 570 53152
Email: FAO-HQ@fao.org 
Web: www.fao.org