Benjamas Kumsueb

Benjamas Kumsueb
Research Departments・Position
Environmental Coexistence
Guest Research Associate
Area
Cassava, Crop model, Farm resources management
Research Interests / Keywords
Crop productivity Improvement
and Sustainability

Benjamas Kumsueb

Assessing Organic and Conventional Cassava Productivity in Thailand

I am Agricultural Researcher and work for Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand. I am Ph. D. student and get the scholarship from National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). I do my research on crop productivity improvement in field crops such as cassava, maize and sugarcane etc., I have conducted my research in Northeast Thailand, cassava is main field crops that provide smallholder farmers' income and food security. I have mentioned on both conventional and organic agricultural. Regarding the majority of small farms are practicing conventional methods that depends on large amount of nonrenewable resources and induced a loss of biodiversity, contamination of water, chemicals in food, degradation of soil quality, and health risks to farmers due to exposure with chemicals. In contrast, organic farming is perceived to be more environmentally friendly, it combines tradition, innovation and science understanding to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. Nowadays, organic cassava production systems are currently a new trend in Thailand agro-industrial crop circles, with a well-established export markets. Certified organic production could contribute to poverty reduction in various ways. These may induce farmers to change their practices to obtain households’ goal. Thus, exploring and understanding the relationships of biotic and abiotic components influencing the transition from conventional to organic practice is important and crucial for systemically.