Increased farm income through farmer-to-farmer learning process approach to adaptation of technologies in Northeast Thailand

This article examines the effectiveness of a farmer-to-farmer learning process (FFLP) developed and tested over three years in four amphoes (districts) of Northeast Thailand, and changes in adapted technologies and diversification. Assessment was made of the adaptation of four introduced technologies and of the effects of these technologies on farm income and diversification through annual interviews of 100 farmers from 2006 to 2008. Sixty-four per cent of the farmers adapted custard apple management, 58 per cent adapted liquid organic fertilizer, 38 per cent adapted herbal repellent extraction and 18 per cent adapted cassava-based animal feed. Farmers who adapted more technologies and generated more diversification gained higher incomes. Technologies introduced and adapted through the FFLP contributed 24 per cent of farm income and 21 per cent of the total income of the 100 farmers.