ไทย

a bit on pun pun  ( 'thousand varieties' )

When we came to this land we have a few visions in mind. After several years of voluntary work in the earthen building movement in Thailand, Jo was looking to pass on the role of trainer for building and focus on what he saw to be one of the most important jobs we can do at this point. This was to create a seed center which collected rare, indigenous and beneficial seeds from around the region and world, propagated them at the farm, and shared them through a network of farmers in Thailand. A living seed center so to speak.

Having worked with other farmers through groups and networks in various areas of Thailand on organic agriculture and supporting transition to organic, we knew the only way to create a movement was to create a model in which farmers can see how it can be done. Talking alone with farmers when you’re not doing it yourself does nothing. You could talk and explain your theories and ideas for ages but this lends you little credibility unless you can show people what you have done yourself and found to work. Once a model is in place all a farmer needs to do is to see it once and they are able to understand it and use what they chose in conversion.

As well as being a model we wanted to also include an active learning center where we could host workshops, internships, and trainings on sustainable living. These are attended by both Thais and international people with the funds raised by international fees enabling Thais and others from developing countries to participate for free.

We’ve faced a few obstacles in our work. First off was the integrity of the soil on the land. The land used to be forest and several years ago it was cut down and mono-cropped with corn. This degraded and eroded the soil so much that in a few years time the soil became infertile and it was deserted. When we came we had degraded soil under weeds up to your knees or waist. We weren’t able to walk through the whole of the land because of prickery weeds. There were no trees besides the small mango starters on the far side of the hill. Everything had to be done by hand and with little resources as we had no money to invest and few people for work. We also had to still pass on much of our past work to new trainers and had to leave the farm often to transfer that work.

At first things were very hard to grow. It seemed a death wish to put anything in the soil. But we gradually built up the soil and moved our way up the hill developing as much as we could at a time. We planted banana trees in lines going down the hill (on vague contour) in order to build up organic matter, water in the soil and prevent more erosion. We planted fruit and other herbal edibles in between the banana trees. We developed the garden beds with manure, compost and mulch. We also had to build all the structures we needed to support community living needs and a place to host programs. This was all done by hand using all available resources possible. We stayed in a little hut on the neighbor’s land and worked morning to night and delighted in the changes happening everyday.

Another aspect we were dedicated to work on was to change people’s view of money. Although money can be a tool, we feel it should not be our inspiration or dependency. As the saying goes, ‘when all the forests and food is gone we will not be able to eat our bills’. We feel that true security comes from the ability to grow your own food, build your own home, and provide for your own needs. These are the skills our modern world has alienated us from and the wisdom that is being lost. We began the project with no money. Some friends donated a bit and we borrowed a bit to buy the land and we began working on the project with no funding. We wanted to live and work on the land in order to develop it. Another of our premises is that what we demonstrate should be able to be done by anyone. For this purpose having degraded soil and no funds was perfect. If we could transform the land with what we had, anyone could do the same. Because of this belief, we focus on simple living and simple low-technology alternatives that individuals are able to manage and understand easily.

How to's

for garden:

Bokashi Compost

Aerobic Bokashi:

Rapid decomposition.

The resources we have most readily available are animal dung, rice husk and rice bran. Other organic matter that can be used are as follows:

Can use rice bran, corn meal, soybean organic material, maneur, corn bran, wheat bran, maize flour, rice husk, bean husk, rice straw, oil cake cotton, seed cake, press mud, bagusse, chopped weeds, sawdust, coconut fiber and husk, crop residues, fruit bunches in oil palm, fish meal, bone meal, dung of any animal, kitchen scraps, seaweed, crab shells, and similar materials.

Can also add: rice husk charcoal, zeolite, kelp, grass, and wood ash. These porous materials improve soil physical conditions and nutrient holding capacity.

Should smell sweet and fermented (with white mold).

To make:

• 2 parts animal dung

• 1 part rice husk

• a little rice bran

Spread this combination in long short rows (around 1 ft high).

Water with:

• 1 part EM

• 1 part Molasses (can use sugar diluted in hot water but should be strong)

• 100 parts Water

Saturate initially until thorough. If squeeze and water comes out, you have too much water. Water the first day. Cover with bags or straw. Compost will get hot and then come back down. Then it is ready. Takes about 4-5 days.

Take and use on top of garden beds. Don’t let it dry out too much. Use as soon as possible. If can’t use, dry it out and use later. Temperature should be between 35-45 degrees Celsius.

Anaerobic Bokashi:

Put in feed bags and close tightly. Maintains energy (nutrition) of organic matter but takes longer time to decompose and mismanagement can cause spoilage.

for more information see www.agriton.nl.com

Effective Micro-organisms (EM)

Benefits:

• Create hummus by decomposing organic matter

• Improve soil structure—binding, aggregates

• Protects roots from disease and parasites

• Helps retain Nitrogen and other nutrients

• Slowly releases nutrients to plants

• Produces enzymes and hormones that help plants grow and resist stress

• Decompose pollutants that enter soil

• Improve water infiltration and oxygen diffusion

• Enhance foliage

• Provide pest control

Cultivate your own:

• Combine 7 parts water: 1 part sugar/molasses: 3 parts kitchen scraps/flowers. Keep for two weeks in a closed container with non-airtight lid, in a dark and slightly warm place. The higher the protein content of matter, the higher Nitrogen content. This can be used as a general liquid fertilizer for watering plants when diluted 1 cup : 1 watering can.

Natural Pesticide/Repellent:

Mix:

• 600 ml water

• 100 ml molasses

• 100 ml vinegar

• 100 ml distilled spirits

• 100 ml pesticide EM (made like basic recipe but instead of kitchen scraps add chilis, garlic, noni, neem and/or lemongrass)

Ferment anaerobically in capped plastic bottle in warm place. When gas stops, it’s ready. Use within 3 mos

for body:

Banana EM:

The idea of banana EM is to replace the beneficial bacteria in our digestive system as the preservatives we eat in our modern diets kill these in our bodies. As well the minerals in bananas are good at helping to stop diarrhea as well as constipation.

Cut up 3 kg whole unpeeled bananas (was non-organic bananas first) and place in a container with a lid. Add in 1 kg sugar/honey over the bananas. Close the lid but not airtight.

Leave for at least one month and then take one tablespoon morning and evening to help boost immune and digestive systems.

If you are having digestive problems can be taken more often. Dilute one tablespoon in a glass of water and take frequently throughout the day.

 - Copyright - Pun Pun Thailand Group - 2008 -