From 2 to 6 October 2025, farmer-leaders from Myanmar participated in a five-day visit to Northern Thailand, organized by the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) in collaboration with the Network Activities Group (NAG). The program began with a panel discussion bringing together academics, organic farming activists from Thailand’s organic movement, and Myanmar farmers, followed by three days of field visits to key organic and agricultural sites. Ten farmers from NAG visited three primary locations: 1) organic farming networks in Bann Don Chieng and Baan San Pha Yang, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai; 2) Hariphunchai Research Institute and organic farmer networks in Lumphun District, Chiang Mai; and 3) organic farming communities in Baan Mae Tha, Mae On District, Chiang Mai.
During the visit, participants were introduced to concepts of alternative agricultural practices and innovative organic farming, including sustainable land management, community forestry, organic production techniques, and social movement strategies. They also gained strategies to increase productivity and resilience. Daily peer dialogues allowed participants to share experiences, connect local practices with broader concepts of food sovereignty, agrarian transition, and encourage practical knowledge exchange and market access through mutual learning.
The program was significant in fostering solidarity between academics and farmer-leaders and promoting a cross-country farmers-to-farmers approach, creating a collaborative space where community knowledge and research-based insights intersected. On the whole, the visit laid the foundation for continued learning, inspiration of farmer-led ideas, collaboration, and the co-production of knowledge to support the sustainable agrarian movement and alternative development in Myanmar.
