Study in Rural Thailand

?

Program background

Agriculture, including the system of monoculture for commercial crops, has been modernized in Thailand. However, small farmers working with organic farming are trying to overcome the negative effects of modern commercial agriculture. Yet many of the young generation do not like to engage in farming, and the young farmer who keeps engaged in farming tends to be isolated. In order to build their confidence and pride to create sustainable community farming, JVC cooperates with Thai farmers.

Summary of activities

(1)The Internship Program and Study Tour in Thailand

For Japanese who are interested in international cooperation and environmental conservation, we are offering an Internship program in which trainees stay in rural Thailand for about 11 months and study the effects of “development” and “international cooperation” often brought by foreign actors, and how these effects are understood by the rural people. We are also offering shot-term study tours.

2009 Annual Report

1. The Internship Program in Rural Thailand
A participant who joined in the program in 2008 extended for one year and was dispatched to Khon Kaen Province.

2. The Study Tour
We offered a study tour in North-eastern Thailand in November. We had another study tour in March in Southern Thailand. In total there were 12 Japanese participants.

2010 Annual Plan

The continuance of the internship program has been decided and new participants will start in autumn. We will evaluate the Internship Program, and we will offer study tours in the summer 2010 and spring 2011. In addition, a shortterm training program that stays in North-eastern Thailand for 1 month is planned as a new program for the next fiscal year.

(2)The exchange and learning of the young farmers in Japan and Thailand

Many young farmers appear to acknowledge the need to create a sustainable life in rural Thailand through responsible agricultural methods. The idea of an international exchange of experiences ideas is necessary to prevent feelings of isolation in the farming community. JVC cooperates in this exchange around the young farmers in Thailand to connect them with young farmers in Japan.

2010 Annual Plan

We will support the young farmers in Thailand to come to Japan, and to exchange with an NPO that works with the issue of urban poverty. Moreover, we will plan tours for young Japanese farmers to visit North-eastern Thailand and the Philippines. We will put out infor-mation for each activity with the aim to increase the number of participants.

(3)Medical Assistance for Burmese workers

After the Sumatra tsunami in 2004, JVC has supported small-scale fishermen and the Burmese people in Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand. Through follow-up activities, we could see many Burmese workers who had not received the medical treatment. JVC cooperated with a local NGO and assisted with small-scale medical treatment for Burmese workers.

2009 Annual Report

JVC provided 10,000 baht a month (about 28,000 Japanese yen) through the partner NGO for emergency medical assistance to the Burmese workers and their families. The system works efficiently said the local NGO. An evaluation of the system showed that it was an effective method for dealing with serious cases needing a quick resolution.

2010 Annual Plan

JVC will provide medical assistance for Burmese laborers who need urgent medical care. Moreover, we will support the training of community health workers. In addition, we will gather information on Myanmar and the border-areas to increase background knowledge of the situation facing Burmese workers.