Baan Rai Model: From Biological Way of Life to Promising Community for Sustainable SE
9 July 2025In a world full of economic, social, environmental, and life-quality challenges; sustainable development becomes an essential goal. Sometimes, sustainable growth may begin with a small, steady, and purposeful step, as seen in the Ban Rai community in Phetchabun Province. The community began its development path with a small initiative called “Biological Way of Life” and has become a model community of sustainable development. It reflects that even small steps, when taken steadily and with clear direction, can lead to significant changes.
“Baan Rai Community” before “Biological Way of Life”
Located in Lom Sak District, Petchabun Province, the “Baan Rai Community” comprised 223 households. Most residents relied on monoculture farming, such as rice, corn, mung beans, and seasonal vegetables. In local practice, crop selection was based on market trends. When a certain crop offered a good price, most farmers tended to grow the same. In some years, this practice led to an oversupply and falling crop prices, resulting in income instability of farmers.
The use of chemical substances in farming also caused high production costs and adverse health effects, resulting from the misuse of chemical substances and the consumption of contaminated vegetables. A health check result showed that over 70% of residents had a high level of toxic load, leading to chronic illness and increasing cancer risk. Thus, the residents struggled with prolonged issues in the economy, society, environment, healthcare, and quality of life.
Turning Point: Introducing “Biological Way of Life”
The year 2019 marked a significant turning point for the community when the project “Biological Way of Life for Sustainable Development” was introduced. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), in cooperation with Phetchabun College of Agriculture and Technology, stepped in to provide knowledge and support the transformation of agricultural practices for the farmers, including organic farming, organic substances, Effective Microorganisms (EM), and an organic fertilizer known as “Bokashi.”
The adoption of the “Biological Way of Life” has changed the community’s agricultural practice from monocultural farming to integrated farming. The new methods include crop rotation; area allocation for integrated crop-livestock farming such as fish, chicken, and frog; and household accounting. The project contributes to cost control, efficient production planning, self-reliance, and products that bring income for their families.
Mr. Apichart Chonpracha, Director of Phetchabun College of Agriculture and Technology, said that introducing agricultural practices and development guidelines for the community under the collaboration with EGAT is in line with the College’s mission in developing professional quality and disseminating knowledge inclusively and equitably. The College considers Baan Rai a potential and cooperative community.
Step of Change Driven by the Community
As the hardest part of any change is taking the first step, the community faced this challenge as well. Shifting away from old ways can bring about doubts, difficulties, and a sense of insecurity. “Phu Yai Manet” or Mr. Manet Chanda, the Village Headman of Moo 1, Baan Rai Sub-district, and a member of the Village Committee, was determined to defy challenges by applying the initiative to his daily life and became a model for other villagers. Not only did he practice organic farming himself, but he also encouraged other residents to adopt it.
At the beginning, “Phu Yai Manet” conducted a trial by inviting villagers to join a rotational farming project. The members were divided into seven groups where different crops were planted sequentially in each 45-day period, resulting in sufficient and diverse products and no oversupply. The project then led to the foundation of “Baan Rai Organic Vegetable Bank,” aiming to support organic farming that was safe for farmers and consumers. The members could consign household product surplus for sale to generate income for their families. With these tangible outcomes, the number of members was gradually increasing. The project was the light that drove out darkness, as it could reduce the farming practice using chemical substances and raise the quality of life of the community.
Undoubtedly, sustainable changes are only possible through collaboration with the community. Baan Rai Community becomes a model of unity as all members take part in driving changes little by little. “Phee Yim” or Mr. Liam Khetphukieo, is an empirical example of a community member who puts the initiative into practice.
Phee Yim used to work in Bangkok for 20 years. When his parents, who were farmers, grew old, he decided to come back to Baan Rai to take up farming and take care of his family. At first, he did monocultural farming like other farmers. After the Biological Way of Life was introduced, he joined the group and applied the knowledge in his farming. He shifted to organic mixed farming, stopped using chemical substances, and created a safe food source in the house area. He also planted trees for sale, generating income to support himself. His farm became a model for mixed farming, where several farmers and organizations came to visit.
The continual implementations lead to noticeable results in the Baan Rai Community. The community members gain better health and quality of life. A decline in illnesses is observed as a result of reduced chemical use in agriculture. Besides, the environment is better. The soil quality is improved by natural organic substances. For the quality of life, the villagers have more income and less household debt due to the use of organic substances for farming. The production costs have decreased from 1,000 Baht per sack of chemical fertilizer to less than 100 Baht per unit of organic substance. The organic products are also marketable and profitable due to a clear production and distribution plan.
Along with the contribution to health, quality of life, economy, and the environment of the community, the “Biological Way of Life” has brought about national recognition for many years, such as
- 2nd Runner-up of the Biological Way for Sustainable Development Award in the Community Category, 2019
- Winner of the Biological Way for Sustainable Development Award in the Individual Category, 2020
- Winner of the Biological Way for Sustainable Development” Award in the Community Category, 2022
- Royal Plaque bestowed by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the Sufficiency Economy Village: Living in Peace and Happiness, 2022
- Winner of the Model Democracy Village Award, 2024
- Winner of the Village under Royal Initiative, the “Land of Dhamma and Gold (Peaceful Village), 2025
In addition to supporting the transformation of Baan Rai Community through the Biological Way of Life initiative, EGAT has played a vital role in advancing this Community by facilitating its registration as a social business group under the Social Enterprise Promotion Act, B.E. 2562 (2019). This registration not only concretely affirms its status as a social business group but also paves the way to becoming a Social Enterprise (SE) in the future. Being an SE will enable access to funding, government support, and business opportunities while maintaining its focus on social purposes.
“Baan Rai Community” is a proof of sustainable transformation, starting from small steps with clear goals and the collaboration of the community. Transformed from a monoculture-based agricultural community that once faced issues on health, debt, and the environment, it has now become a model community for sustainable development by applying the “Biological Way of Life.” This initiative has changed not only farming practices but also the mindsets and lifestyles of the people. Moreover, the Baan Rai Community can be an inspiration for other communities, proving that “sustainability” can start from within and grow with the collective efforts of all members of the community.