Who participates in Pook Pin To Kao and how does it work?
Anusara: We call ourselves “matchmakers,” the customers “brides,” and the farmers “grooms.” We have two groups of farmers: the strong grooms and the new grooms. In the former group are farmers who have been practicing organic farming for at least five years. Their only concern is the market for their produce, so we provide it for them. The farmers in the latter group either want to change to organic farming or have been doing it for less than five years. In this case, we introduce them to a network of organic rice farmers who can teach them what they need to know. After they have switched to organic, they join us and get access to the market.
Penwalee: We have two groups of customers: the assured brides and the brave brides. We match the strong grooms with the assured brides, who only want 100 percent organic rice. And since the new grooms’ produce cannot be consistent yet, we have the brave brides to play an understanding and supportive role.
How does growing organic rice lead the way to sustainability?
Anusara: It’s the best way to cut down the costs of farming. The old way entails the purchase of pesticides and fertilizers, which makes the cost unnecessarily high. In organic farms, however, farmers can make their own fertilizers with microorganisms and herbs found locally. But the main problem is the question of what comes next. Most farmers don’t know how to proceed, so they have to rely on agents or the government’s rice mortgage scheme. Pook Pin To Kao helps eliminate this necessity by providing a market where they have direct contact with customers. We show them it’s possible to manage things themselves, on their own terms.
Why isn’t organic rice more popular in Thailand?
Penwalee: There are a very limited number of organic rice farmers. The retail price is higher. Farmers have been told for some 30 years that their rice can be of good quality and in good demand only with the use of chemicals, and they end up believing it. The media never talk about organic rice in the same way as organic fruits and vegetables. People are just not well-informed about better options and the dangers of chemical rice.
In what ways does Pook Pin To Kao hope to change society?
Penwalee: We mainly want to help the country and the farmers, with promoting a healthier eating habit among Thais as a by-product. But the heart of our project is actually to improve the relationship between farmers and urbanites. The farmers go from never knowing who they grew rice for to having their customers visit them. We want to create that heartwarming bond that bridges the physical distance.
