A Success of Organic Vegetable Growing of the Organic Farming Cooperative Group, Thong Mang Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

     This study was conducted to investigate, 1) the organic farming process and operation of farmers under the Thang Mang organic farming cooperative group, 2) the successful organic vegetable growing of the farmers, and 3) suggestions about organic farming of the farmers. The population of this study consisted of two groups: 44 organic vegetable growers and 2 people promoting organic farming (1 farmer group head and
1 concerned government personnel). Obtained by purposive sampling. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were used for data collection and analyzed by using content analysis.

Results of the study revealed that, at the initial stage, the farmers learned about organic farming standards and principles. Besides, there was a meeting related to operational consistency with topographic conditions and yield monitoring under organic farming standards. The success of organic vegetable growing by the farmers was due to the following components, 1) economic benefits, 2) organic farming knowledge, 3) news/information perception, 4) farmers’ attitudes, 5) readiness for organic farming, and 6) organic farming process of the farmers. It was found that the successful operation of the group was raised from the leadership of the group committee, group forming, group management, readiness for organic farming, and support of concerned public and private agencies. Financial support should be encouraged beneficial training on plant disease and pest prevention, production planning, marketing, processing, and use of new technology for the development of organic vegetable production.