Regenerative Farmers’ Cooperative with Pai Seedlings Foundation

ECCA is partnering with Pai Seedlings Foundation to launch a pilot Regenerative Farmers’ Cooperative to encourage permanent adoption of regenerative agriculture among farmers. This initiative empowers farmers with knowledge and support, teaching regenerative techniques alongside a debt-reduction program and financial literacy training. The goal is to ensure financial stability throughout the soil regeneration process and facilitate a sustainable transition.

Location:

Pai, Thailand

Period:

Nov 2022 - Dec 2025

Status:

Active

Partner:

Pai Seedlings Foundation envisions a resilient world where communities thrive through sustainability, ecological balance, and energy use, creating abundance and simplicity in life.

Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by ECCAPhoto by ECCA
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
Photo by ECCAPhoto by ECCA

Challenge

ChallengePhoto by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation

Chemical farming in Thailand poses significant challenges to both soil health and human well-being. Farmers we met like Sarah from Muang Noi village in Pai, Mae Hong Son province, who lost her father to cancer, witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of chemical inputs on their communities. The reliance on chemicals creates a vicious cycle of debt and monoculture, degrading soil health and transforming once-thriving forests and lands into barren areas. In remote regions like Pai, the lack of access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables exacerbates the problem. Produce often travels 3-4 hours from Chiang Mai, arriving either stale or costly due to logistics. This combination of chemical exposure, lack of nutritious food, and mounting debt leaves communities in Mae Hong Son unhealthy and struggling.

ChallengePhoto by Pai Seedlings FoundationPhoto by Pai Seedlings Foundation
ApproachPhoto by ECCAPhoto by ECCA

Approach

ApproachPhoto by ECCAPhoto by ECCA

The Regenerative Farmers’ Cooperative, initiated as a pilot partnership with Pai Seedlings’ founders Damien and Lyse, offers a sustainable solution stemming from ten months of community outreach and design. The project aims to promote ecological balance, social welfare, and economic stability. Ecologically, it rejuvenates soil health and enhances productivity through natural resource management. Socially, it focuses on skill development in land management, financial literacy, and technical expertise, alongside income and debt reduction schemes. Economically, the cooperative supports production capacity with water management, seeds, trees, and tools, fostering an independent, cooperative business model.

This multifaceted approach addresses core issues in modern farming, offering a sustainable path forward for communities involved. The pilot project spans two phases: Phase 1 (November 2022 – December 2025) establishes the foundation for smallholder farmers to transition successfully to regenerative agriculture, including hands-on training and reduced loan interest rates negotiation with the banks. Phase 2 (January 2026 – December 2027) focuses on expanding market access for surplus produce and building an independent structure where farmers support each other in agricultural and business aspects.

Located in Muang Noi village, Mae Hong Son, this pilot aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of support and growth, potentially paving the way for similar models to be replicated beyond its initial site.

Outcomes

User2
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Participating Farmers

Stopped using chemicals on their plots completely and are implementing regenerative practices

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Participating Farmers

Remained debt free

Improved Soil Health

Improved Overall Quality Of Life

Supply your restaurant with our organic produce and experience the difference in quality and sustainability. If you’re in Pai, join our Community Supported Agriculture and food box program for weekly access to the freshest local food. Are you a grower looking to transition to regenerative agriculture? Join our cooperative or reach out to learn more about how you can be part of our sustainable farming community! Together, let’s cultivate a healthier and more resilient food system.

In Their Own Words

Feed the soil, and the soil will feed us

— Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmers

Now that I’ve stopped spraying chemicals for a year, I realize how they were affecting my health: I don’t feel dizzy after a day’s work anymore, and I have less nervous problems. Before, i always had headaches and couldn’t sleep good at night after spraying the chemical in the fields. Now I am more relaxed and happy at home and in my family

— Lung Don
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

It is hard to stop using chemicals because we have so many problems in the garden. But I know my husband died because of them so I don’t want to use them anymore. I’m grateful to learn how to farm without chemicals now. I also feel better in my body: I used to have a lot of joint pains, and now not anymore.

—  Mae Thiamjan
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

Yes, it is more work to do organic vegetable garden because we have to look after them garden and plants everyday. When we do garlic and corn, we don’t need to look after them everyday. But I also enjoy coming here more, because there is beauty, and everyday I can harvest enough to eat and sell in the village. I’m proud to rediscover my own food security.

— Ar Sakle & Mae Japho
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

I’m glad to work as a group. Because sometimes work is too hard alone. And when I don’t understand something from Ajarn Damien, we can talk about it and the other members explain. So we all learn together.

— Ar Soodkat
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

Now we spend more time working together, so the work is easier. When we have a problem we also spend more time figuring out solutions as a group. It takes a lot of the stress away not to be alone and to be able to ask questions to Ajarn Damien.

— Ar Phayung
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

I am so grateful but I don’t know how to give back for what you’re doing for us.

— Mae Anocha (Lung Don’s wife)
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

Now I can have some ideas and dreams and try to do something different I had never tried before. We could never do that before because money was always lacking and we had the stress of the bank loans. It’s good to be able to try something new and learn. We both feel better at home and together.

— Mae Chupo (Ar Phayung’s wife)
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer

I like eating the vegetable I grew: i save money, eat better and they make me feel stronger. And I’m proud when other people in the village buy them. I’m happy to take care of them also. I look forward to growing vegetables for the school in the village now.

— Mae Thiamjan
Pai Seedlings’ regenerative farmer