The Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labor visited the area to meet workers in Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project. She was delighted that the villagers used their knowledge on new theories of agriculture to further their career after participating in Phase 1 of the project, while many people are interested in continuing to participate the Phase 2. The visit took place at the Model Farm Project under the royal initiative of Queen Sirikit in Ban Bo Wi, Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat visited and met with participants from the Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project, after the completion of the first phase of the project. The visit took place at the Model Farm Project under the royal initiative of Queen Sirikit in Moo 4, Tanaosri, Ban Bo Wi, Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi. HM Queen Sirikit granted the model farm area to Head of the Center for royal volunteers, together with the Ministry of Labour and relevant agencies to conduct activities to resolve occupational distress under the “Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project”. She said that the trip today (August 6, 2020) has the objective to meet and talk with project participants after the completion of the project’s first phase, which the Ministry of Labour was responsible for. The project’s participants had shown that they applied the knowledge obtained from speakers from the program on new theories of agriculture to further their careers at home, with their families, and therefore she asked the participants about the effects on the community.
Mrs. Theanrat said that overall, the Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project nationwide was an initiative run by the Royal Volunteer Headquarters Command Center, together with the Ministry of Labour. The initiative started as a project to tackle occupational distress under the ” Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project” to address the income shortage of people during the pandemic. It provides jobs to improve the area, whereby activities include dredging ditches, planting vegetables, making fertilizers under new agricultural theories. The program was rolled out in 17 provinces, with 30 sample farms for 60 days, under a budget of 19.8 million Baht. There were 1,101 participants overall. In Ratchaburi, there are 47 applicants for phase 2 of the program, whereby 32 of the applicants had previously participated in Phase 1.
Saibua Bunkla, or Bua, aged 35 years, was originally employed by was affected by Covid-19 pandemic. She, therefore, applied to participate in the project from the earliest stage and will continue to apply for Phase 2. She has gained new knowledge in agricultural theory, whereby lecturers have taught her many topics such as soil improvement and vegetable gardening without chemicals, which is good for the health of the participants and family members. In addition, eating their own crops within the family reduces expenditures. She learned that it is not as difficult as she thought it would be, and thanked HM Queen Sirikit, the mother of the land, for giving the villagers an opportunity to gain knowledge and earn income to lead a sustainable career.
Ladawan Tuba, or Wal, aged 45, previously worked as a resort maid. She was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore applied to join the Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project in Phase 1 and will continue to Phase 2 and 3 in the future. He said that he will take his knowledge to further share within the community about making Banana Cake because the farm taught them how to make banana rolls, Namwa banana cake, multipurpose solutions, and herbal soaps.
Ampai Songkrit, or Nam, aged 33, was formerly a homestay employee and worked in fruit orchards before. She too was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore applied to join the project. She has used the knowledge to continue working at home, where she has almost a rai of land, where she has the idea to grow bananas and vegetables such as galangal, lemongrass, chili, and eggplant. At the moment, she is raising chickens and will raise more hens which she has ordered from the Department of Livestock. She said that she was happy to come to the farm and thanked the mother of the land initiating a great project to help promote employment, giving villagers work and food to eat.
“The Ministry of Labour is thankful for HM Queen Sirikit for providing the land for the Covid-19 Resistant Model Farm Project. For the participants of the project, not only are they able to have careers, but the project has also promoted reduced expenses, increased income and knowledge about new agricultural theories which will promote their careers, allowing them to support themselves and the families,” concluded Mrs. Theanrat.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Division of Public Relations
6 August 2020
