Project for using green technology to transform agriculture with heavy chemical residues into chemical-free agriculture, Phase 2

Project Owner: Faculty of Engineering (Project Leader: Professor Dr. Phuangrat Khajitwichanukul)

🔹1. Case Overview

Area of ​​operation

28 plots, consisting of 10 prototype plots, 18 expansion plots

5 areas: San Pa Tong District, Saraphi District, Hang Dong District, Mae Wang District (Chiang Mai Province) and Ban Hong District (Lamphun Province)

Processing time

July 2022 - June 2024 (2 years)

Problems / Opportunities

problem:Chemical-dependent agriculture results in chemical residues in produce and the environment, affecting farmers' health and competitiveness.

chance:Use green technologies (e.g. biochar, artificial wetlands) to create a complete transition process to chemical-free agriculture, establish traceability standards, and elevate Thai organic agriculture to the global market.

Impact Verifier Status

SROI 1.39(Impact level: Good)

Evaluated by:Asst. Prof. Dr. Chalermpol Kongjit and Mr. Chanathip Chanbang

Certified by:Dr. Kritsana Thiraphonpipat and Dr. Suradet Chongwansiri

2. Stakeholder Mapping (Stakeholder Identification)

Stakeholder groups	role	Benefits received (or affected)	Participation level
Community / Main Target Group	28 farmer plots(Prototype, expansion, original organic, chemical dependent)	Received the transfer of 12 types of green knowledge and technology	high Primary beneficiaries and operators
More farmers attended the training (50 people)	economy:Reduce the cost of using chemicals and the cost of removing longan branches. Quality of life:Better health, reduced illness/hospitalization.
Government agencies	…	…	…
Business sector / Supporting organizations	Living Choice Company (Living Soil)	Partners (In-kind/In-cash) and Test kit support Obtain the protocol and criteria for using the test kit. Profit from selling Test kits In-cash investors	high  Funders and Technology
	Thaithonburi Company Limited	- Partners (In-cash) - Destination organization purchases chemical-free longan products. - Reduce the cost of chemical inspection and obtain quality raw materials according to standards.	high  Funders and beneficiaries
Educational institutions/researchers	Research Team (Faculty of Engineering)	- Main project operator: Develops technology and curriculum. - New training courses are created. - Established a collaborative network with community scholars and farmers.	high  Project Operator
Civil society / networks	“Pesticide-free Agriculture” Network	- It is the result of the project. - A cooperation mechanism has been established between farmers, the private sector, academics, and the government sector. - Members have better relationships.	Project results

🌐 Key points of emphasis:Highlighting the “ecosystem of collaboration”— Who really makes the results happen?

🔹 3. Intervention / Innovation (Strategy – Method – Tools used)

Innovation or working methods	Development and transfer of "green technology" (12 technologies) Biochar group (5 types):Such as Biochar incinerators, water filtration systems, biochar for reducing chemicals in soil/water. Chemical protection group (4 types):Such as artificial wetlands, Barrer strip, buffer zone planting, Biocontrol
Traceability and establishing criteria
	Ecosystem Building
Strengths	Proactive management:Not just "avoiding" but using technologies to "fix" (e.g. reduce residue) and "prevent" (e.g. protect against external chemicals) Turn waste into resources:Convert longan branches (waste) into biochar (soil improver/chemical reduction material) Build a defense system:Prevent cross-contamination from surrounding areas (through soil, water and air) Build credibility:Use technology (Test kit, drone, LCMSMS) to monitor and create product selection criteria. Reduce costs:Develop criteria for using (low-cost) test kits to create PGS standards that farmers can access. End-to-End:Connecting "academics" (technology developers), "farmers" (users), and "businesses" (buyers/supporters).

• Draw a miniature model (Impact Model Diagram) : OPTIONAL** Problem → Intervention → Change → Value

Problem (agriculture relies on chemicals/poor health/high costs) → Intervention (green technology + test kit + network) → Change (reduce chemical costs/reduce residues in soil and water/better health) → Value (SROI 1.39 / sustainable agriculture / stable purchasing market)

💡 Key points of emphasis:It shows that this project “changes the way of thinking or doing”, causing changes from the original.

🔹 4. Impact Pathway / Theory of Change (Path of Change)

Use a linkage modelInput → Activity → Output → Outcome → Impact

number	list	Example description
Input	Resources, Team, Information	Total Input: 17,005,769.09 bahtSource: Funding sources, Living Choice Co., Ltd. (In-kind/cash), Thai Thanaburi Co., Ltd. (In-cash), and farmers' time costs.
Activity	Main activities	Training and practice in using 12 types of green technologies in 28 plots Monitor chemical residues (using test kits, drones, labs) Create product quality selection criteria Create a “Pesticide-free Agriculture” network
Output	The resulting product	28 farmers (and 50 more joining) received knowledge transfer. Ten prototype plots and 18 expansion plots were established. Three new training courses were created. Protocol and criteria for using the test kit were established.
Outcome	Qualitative change	Economic:Farmers reduce the cost of using chemicals, reduce the cost of removing longan branches and reduce the cost of chemical inspections. Social aspect:Create a network of farmers and better relationships in the community. In terms of quality of life:Farmers have better health and less illness.
Impact	Systemic/Sustainable Change	Environmental aspectsReduce the use of chemicals in agricultural areas (reduce soil and water contamination) In terms of innovationNew green technologies and verification criteria are being implemented. System sideA collaborative "ecosystem" (farmers-academics-private sector) has emerged for the transition to chemical-free agriculture.

🌱 Key points of emphasis:Helps to see the actual “Impact Pathway” that the project is creating.

🔹 5. Evidence & Indicators (Evidence and outcome indicators)

Specify quantitative and qualitative results, such as:

Quantitative	Total result value (Y0+Y1): 23,676,925.51 baht  economy:15,035,029.83 baht (63.50%) such as reducing chemical costs by 7.59 million baht, reducing longan branch removal costs by 2.65 million baht, reducing inspection costs for Thai Thonburi Co., Ltd. by 2.04 million baht. environment:5,989,483.52 baht (25.30%) such as the value of reducing chemicals in soil 4.53 million baht, reducing chemicals in water 1.35 million baht. innovation:1,600,634.91 baht (6.76%) such as Protocol, course society:757,499.53 baht (3.20%) such as networking Quality of life:294,277.72 baht (1.24%) such as reducing medical expenses
Qualitative	Farmers are becoming more aware of the application of green technology. Farmers have better relationships with their communities. The research team has improved relationships with farmers and local scholars. Long-term partnership between Thai Thanaburi Co., Ltd. and farmers
SROI / Economic Valuation	SROI Ratio: 1.39 (Investment of 1 baht creates social, economic and environmental results of 1.39 baht) Sensitivity Analysis:If organic longan yields are low (in 2027) and farmers stop using the technology, SROI will decrease to1.28

📊 Key points of emphasis:To show that results are “tangible” and reflect value, not just output.

🔹 6. SV Key Lessons Learned (Key Lessons / Success Factors)

Factors contributing to project success	1. Partnership (Comprehensive Cooperation):The collaboration of academics (technology development), the private sector (funding/Test kit/purchasing) and farmers (implementation) has led to systemic change. 2. Technology (Appropriate technology):Having 12 clear green technologies gives farmers the tools to “prevent” and “solve” chemical problems. 3. Traceability (Auditability):The use of test kits and lab testing helps raise awareness among farmers and build standards/confidence among buyers.
Obstacles and lessons learned from operations	1. The risk that farmers may decide to discontinue using green technologies 2. Process limitations:The amount of biochar produced may not be sufficient for use in the field. 3. Economic constraints:The returns/productivity are still slow during the adjustment period and the price is still fluctuating according to the market mechanism. 4. Cost constraints:The cost of monitoring and evaluating chemical residues remains high.
role	Researchers (Change Leaders):It is the core of technology development, knowledge transfer and network coordination. Model farmers (network leaders):Acting as a group leader, transferring technology to the expansion plots Private Sector (Strategic Supporters):Living Choice Co., Ltd. jointly developed the inspection protocol, and Thai Thanaburi Co., Ltd. created a guarantee for purchasing the produce (Demand).

🔹 7. Impact Scalability 

•  In summary, how can this process be “extended/expanded” to other areas?

This project has created a "knowledge base" (12 technologies), training curriculum, and testing criteria (Protocol Test kit) that have been tested and proven. This knowledge base is therefore highly replicable and can be transferred and expanded to other farmer groups or other crops that wish to transition to chemical-free agriculture.

• Project wants to expand cooperation. What to develop? Invite Impact Partnership.

• Market side:We need partners who can guarantee prices (price guarantee) or create a purchasing market (have a purchasing market) for long-term chemical-free produce for farmers.

• Policy/Certification:Cooperation is needed to promote standards and product certification (set and create standards and product certification) that arise from this process to build market confidence.

🧩 Key points of emphasis:Let's see the "opportunity to further apply this model" and join hands.— Help the association select cases with high potential for public dissemination.

🔹 8. SV Inspiration (Reflection of social values)

“What value did this project create for people and society?”

• Reflected from the perspective of beneficiaries (stakeholder voice)

The most important value this project creates is that it unlocks farmers from their reliance on chemicals, not by forcing them to stop, but by providing them with the tools (green technology) and ensuring they do so (monitoring). This project proves that the shift to chemical-free farming doesn't just benefit the environment (cleaner soil and water) or consumers, but also directly impacts farmers themselves.

Quality of life value:Farmers have significantly improved health, with fewer illnesses and hospitalizations (valued at 294,277.72 baht).

Community economic value:Turning "waste" (longan branches) into "resources" (biochar) can truly help reduce disposal costs and reduce the cost of using chemicals.

Relationship Value:Strengthened collaboration and networks between farmers, researchers, and local scholars

• Short quotes (Quotes) from stakeholders such as villagers, researchers, local administrators

Summary of interviews with farmer groups and stakeholders (specified in the executive summary)	"The most visible success of this project is the awareness it has generated, leading to an improvement in the quality of life, both in terms of'Better health' and 'Safe environment'This is an important foundation for sustainability that farmers can truly experience."
Private sector representative (Thaithonburi Company Limited)	"This project helps unlock market constraints, enabling businesses to access high-quality organic longan raw materials in'Competitive cost'Equivalent to the normal market, helping to create business advantages while supporting Thai farmers."
Project Working Group and Research Team	“We are not just changing the way we farm, we are creating an ecosystem.'Pesticide-free Agriculture'A collaboration between farmers, the business sector, and academics to drive Thai agriculture towards international safety standards."