Sum Sung Cooperative Field Visit

1. Sum Sung Cooperative Field Visit Monday January 16, 2012

2. Objectives • To provide the new staff with practical knowledge and skills from the “basic training course management and facilitation skills” with a focus on organizing SLV • To understand history and background of the Sum Sung Cooperative, its business operation as well as its success factors and constraints

3. Overview of the visit site – Baan Sawang • Location: Bann Sawang, Huayteoi Sub-district—36 kilometers from KhonKaen City • Background: Sum Sung was established in 1993, before was under KranuanSub-district, now under HuaytoeiSub-district • Population: 529 people or 138 households • Main Occupations: Mainly on rice plantation, sugar canes, and cassava.

4. History of the Sum Sung Cooperative • Phase 1 • 35 villagers • Facing difficulties at both economic and social issues • More villagers interested in joining

5. History of the Cooperative • Phase 2 • New land approved • New members joined • Funds from SME project • Sum Sung Community Enterprise Group registered

6. History of the Cooperative • Phase 3 • Central Group involvement • 5 million baht support • Capacity building in safe production of vegetables • Marketing and advertising support for vegetable sale in modern supermarkets • Infrastructure development support including a packaging and storing house, water and electricity supply for other 260 hectare land • Providing rice mill in the future to produce organic rice supplied to major chain stores

7. History of the Cooperative • Phase 3 – continued • Sum Sung Agricultural Cooperative (SSAC) • 280 members

8. Main Activities • Producing chemical-free vegetable production following GAP standards • Packaging during post-harvest • Collecting produce from the members and sell to retailers • Selling produce in the local markets • Providing seeds and training for members to become competitive in GAP vegetable production • Providing water and other materials • Monitoring and investigating soil and product quality, ensuring the products are free from chemicals and contamination

9. Production “GAP” • Market: • Central 90% • Local market 10% • Cooperative -Weighting • Quality test • Cutting • Cleaning • Drying • Packaging • Cooling storage Transportation Production procedures

10. Stakeholders

11. Supportive factors & challenges

12. Lessons Learned from the Project • Strong government support • Policy and practical levels need to be at the same direction • Multiple stakeholders are required • Commitment and continuous support • Favorable land policy • Full participation of communities • Strong leadership • Cultural sensitivity and flexibility • Transparency and accountability • Peer learning and mutually beneficial environment • Behavior change can be stimulated by economic gaining and health improvement • Private sector involvement empowers community development • Quality standard makes it possible for wide market access

13. Lessons learned from the Visit • Supportive team work and sound preparation • Good time management • Well coordinated relationships with concerned personnel • Clear learning objectives and tight schedule • Activities are arranged on a logic basis and order • Good incentives e.g. gift, food, refreshments, etc.

20. Thank you!