GULF Celebrates a Decade of Sustainable Farming with ‘Rice to Meet You’ Event
Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF), led by Mr. Tanon Tantisunthorn, Senior Executive Vice President, recently organized the ‘Rice to Meet You’ event. This gathering was designed to educate attendees on the traditional Thai farmer’s lifestyle while showcasing innovative, comprehensive organic farming methods. The event, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Agricultural Learning Center and Demonstration Rice Field at the Nong Saeng Power Plant in Saraburi, also featured a special ‘Rice to Meet You’ exhibition. This display chronicled the transformation of a once-empty plot of land into a thriving, sustainable agricultural ecosystem, demonstrating that industry and community can coexist harmoniously. Mr. Bancha Chaowarin, Governor of Saraburi Province, presided over the ceremony. The event was attended by heads of government departments, military personnel, police, local administrative organizations, local residents, and students from Wat Nong Thang Bun School in Saraburi Province, all gathered at the Agricultural Learning Center and Demonstration Rice Field at the Nong Saeng Power Plant.
Mr. Tanon Tantisunthorn, Senior Executive Vice President, GULF, shared, “At GULF, we believe that business success must be balanced with social development and environmental responsibility. The Nong Saeng Power Plant in Saraburi is a prime example of our commitment to the importance of local agriculture and community life. We are dedicated to ensuring the sustainable coexistence of the power plant and local farming communities, which led to the establishment of the Nong Saeng Power Plant’s Demonstration Rice Field in 2015. Covering over 42 rai (approximately 16.5 acres), it serves as a model for pioneering organic farming.”
“Over the years, GULF has consistently developed and expanded the demonstration rice field in various dimensions, elevating it into the Agricultural Learning Center and Demonstration Rice Field at the Nong Saeng Power Plant. This center serves as a hub for learning about circular economy-based organic farming, which is designed to use limited natural resources efficiently and create maximum value from available resources in an environmentally friendly manner. As a result, many local farmers interested in organic farming have joined to learn and exchange experiences, and numerous students, government agencies, and private organizations have visited for educational tours,” Mr. Tanon added.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the learning center, GULF organized the “Rice To Meet You” event to promote the traditional Thai farmer’s lifestyle and preserve beautiful customs. The event provided an opportunity for youth, public and private sector representatives, and the general public to participate in the traditional ‘Long Khaek’ or community rice harvesting and blessing ceremony. This not only passes on cultural heritage but also creates a social space for knowledge exchange between experienced farmers and the younger generation. It also served as a platform to disseminate the center's innovative comprehensive organic farming methods, such as a second-crop rice cultivation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, using microbes to decompose rice stalks into organic fertilizer, and a black soldier fly larvae model for managing agricultural waste and creating a protein source for laying hens.
A special “Rice to Meet You” exhibition was also featured, narrating the center’s journey from its inception in 2015 as a vacant plot of land to its present state as a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. This achievement demonstrates how the energy industry can truly support and coexist with communities, creating life and vitality. Additionally, the event included a ‘Som Tum Show’ by community representatives and power plant employees, featuring local produce from the learning center to foster stronger community-power plant relations.
Mr. Bancha Chaowarin, Governor of Saraburi Province, expressed, “It is a great pleasure to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nong Saeng Power Plant’s Demonstration Rice Field. I have been involved since its inception in 2015 as the District Chief of Nong Saeng at the time. The demonstration field has made remarkable progress, especially in its research, development, and experiments with rice cultivation, yielding excellent results. The cultivation of local organic vegetables has transformed this site into an agricultural learning center that attracts numerous visitors and students from Saraburi and other provinces. I have watched the growth of this center with great pride, having been a part of it from the very beginning, and I sincerely hope it will continue to be a source of inspiration for farmers and those interested in applying and expanding these comprehensive organic farming concepts."
“GULF remains committed to the continuous development of the Nong Saeng Power Plant’s Agricultural Learning Center and Demonstration Rice Field,” Mr. Tanon concluded. “It will serve as a model for sustainable agriculture, reflecting GULF’s dedication to growing alongside social development and environmental responsibility.”
For those interested in visiting the Agricultural Learning Center and Demonstration Rice Field at the Nong Saeng Power Plant, please contact csr@gulf.co.th or follow the GULF Spark Facebook Page for news and event details.
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