Agriculture, Farming, Rubber, Melon Cultivation, Greenhouse Farming, Economic Revitalization, Thailand, Sustainable Agriculture, Market Trends, Innovation
In the lush countryside of Phayakkhaphum Phisai, 52-year-old Nang Sairung Srisuk, a local farmer, shares her journey from rubber to melon cultivation. Faced with dwindling profits from rubber and mounting expenses, Srisuk sought alternatives and found success in melon farming. Initially experimenting with open-field cultivation on a 3-acre plot, she later transitioned to greenhouse farming, boasting 12 units to shield crops from pests and erratic weather. Srisuk’s dedication has yielded fruitful results, with each greenhouse producing over 300 melons per harvest cycle, selling for approximately 25,000 Baht per cycle.
The transition from rubber to melon cultivation symbolizes resilience and innovation in agriculture, showcasing how farmers adapt to market dynamics and environmental challenges. Through embracing modern techniques like greenhouse farming and selecting high-yield varieties, farmers like Nang Sairung Srisuk are not only securing their livelihoods but also driving economic growth in their communities.
