Process and results of integrated farming development by a farmer experimental group in rainfed Northeast Thailand

A process for developing integrated farming was tested in on-farm research. Research agenda setting with farmers indicated that integrated farming made up nearly 40 per cent of farmers' goals. The first component tested was rainy season vegetable production. On-farm trials compared mesh (farmer proposed), clear plastic (researcher proposed) roofs and no roofs over three years. Plastic had positive net benefits for tomato, but roofs were not economic for shallot and corianders. Water use under plastic was 34123 per cent higher than under mesh. Companion research on station validated improved water flow of the farmer proposed flat mesh roof compared to other shapes. Custard apple water management was added as the second component. After two years, 30 per cent higher revenue was obtained from pruning, and water use once every fortnight (farmer proposed) and once a week (researcher proposed) increased revenue by an additional 10 and 11 per cent, respectively.