Assessment of the impact of a farmer-to-farmer learning and innovation scaling out process on technology adaptation, farm income and diversification in Northeast Thailand

A farmer-to-farmer learning and innovation process (FFLP) for technology development was developed in four districts in Northeast Thailand, and changes in farm income and diversification of 100 farmers (25 per village) were assessed in 2005, before FFLP was begun in 2006 and 2007. Forty per cent of farmers obtained information from FFLP for herbal repellent and liquid organic fertilizer. Eighty-three per cent of farmers adapted at least one of the four technologies. Farmers adapting cassava-based animal feed increased 39 per cent, herbal extraction increased 111 per cent, liquid organic fertilizer increased 116 per cent and custard apple management increased 156 per cent. Principal reasons for adapting these technologies were reduced cost, increased farm yield, chemical free products and reduced pests. Adapting farmers had 99 per cent (2006) and 141 per cent (2007) higher farm income than non-adapting farmers. Farmers with three agricultural diversification activities increased by 850 per cent from 2005 to 2007.