Project of Production Efficiency Improvement and Value-Added Pork in a Holistic Community: Thaiburi Sub-District (Under the University to Tambon Project: Tambon Thaiburi)


        The majority income of Tambon Thaiburi (Thaiburi sub-district, Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province) comes from livestock production. However, there are limitations in the knowledge development on safe agricultural production, processing, marketing, and lack of knowledge and understanding among healthcare workers. The project is operated by the School of Agricultural Technology, School of Management, College of Graduate Studies, and School of Allied health Sciences, Walailak University, focusing on raising the standards for certification and product quality (GAP). Additionally, the objectives are to improve pig health and pig feed production technology, develop group finances and management systems, support marketing channels, especially to promote population health to increase production potential and community economy.

            The implementation of the project has a follow-up plan, provides consulting services, training, and technology transfer to farmers. There is also an analysis of agricultural production standards/product standards/farmers’ health. Demonstration plots and a model farmer learning base are established, including monitoring and evaluation under the promotion guidelines. And most importantly, there is a forum to exchange learning to work towards sustainability, such as monthly visits/meetings with service recipients, follow-up, and take notes on the establishment of biologically protected pig farms (Biosecurity) and efficiency level of sows by using sow formula production technology from weekly local feed (sow and piglet health). The working group has prepared sow production records and accounts, created a prototype (Prototype), and organized health activities to increase production capacity and the community economy. These include inspection of poisoning from a pesticide used in farmers, screening for Melioidosis in pigs and swine farmers, physical fitness checks, and promoting ergonomics knowledge in farmers (breeders). From the evaluation of the implementation of the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) to study the impact of the project on substantial changes in the community, the significant results after the execution of the project are as follows:

1) Increase the production income of sows, create a body of knowledge to build on the model of developing swine feed technology with suitable local materials, then apply in the area of ​​interest. From the project’s income assessment, it appears that farmers can increase their net income by an average of 9,600 baht/pig/production cycle time and can reduce production costs on average 4,200 baht/pig/production cycle time. As a result, the average net income of all agriculture in the communities participating in the operation is approximately 252,600 baht/year of production (SDG 1).

2) Reduce costs/production costs by producing safe and efficient pigs with a biosecurity system that can be able to prevent the disease from spreading to pigs and reduce damage from pig mortality and grouping of enterprises. Farmers can collectively buy inputs at lower prices. For example, ten interested farmers want to buy 23 sows, they can buy as a group enterprise with the Betagro Group (according to the MOU), which has received an exemption fee for breed about 6,000 baht/pig. As the collective of the enterprise group, it can reduce the overall cost of production inputs by 138,000 baht. The group enterprise can get an initial profit for the revolving fund of about 34,500 baht, and it is the opportunity for them to improve work together leading to future development (SDG 1).

3) Upgrading, extending careers, and increasing income, result in 3 standard and unique pork processed products, namely pork jerky sticks, Vietnamese pork sausage, and pork sausages. It can add value by 15%, also promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth for enterprise members (SDG 8). 

4) Farmers have better health, knowledge, and understanding of how to prevent Melioidosis in the environment and animals and self-protection to reduce occupational injuries (SDG 3).

GOAL 1: No Poverty

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal