Land Development : A Fundamental of Sustainable Agriculture
Land Development Department Services

Doctor Soils : An Advantage of Farmer

1. Background
Since 30 years Land Development Department was established to conduct research, experiment which contribute new knowledge to farmers. However his achievement and his honor did not wellknow. In 1990, Land Development Department engaged the staff of Chulalongkorn University for feasibility study the problem about public relation of Land Development Department. The result was shown that Land Development Department has....
  
  1. many capable achievemens and these are very advantage to farmers
  2. very diversity outputs and too scatter
  3. non system for contribution outputs and not so much
  4. non an image, so that this research group encouraged : "Doctor Soils" as a figure for Land Development Department.

1990 Land Development Department created "Doctor Soils" pattern and activities. Since 1991 Doctor Soils Project has been introduced as main strategy for help farmer under soil and fertilizer improvement project.

2. Type of Doctor Soils
In the National Economic and Social Development Plan 7 {1992-1996}, Doctor Soils project was dedicated to farmers. It has 4 levels [type]
Bare Foot Doctor
It is staff of Land Development Department where scatter all country 61 stations
Motion Doctor
It is a technical staff and surveyer which representative from Land Development Department 3-4 persons in each region. It has 12 regions.
Mobile Soil Clinic
It is mobile soil analysis laboratory which staffs are soil scientist, expert from soil analysis division from Bangkok who service farmer with modern equipment. There are 6 units in 12 regions.
Volunteer in Village
It was established in 1995, 65,000 person. Volunteer was choosed from each village for1 person.

3. Bare Foot Doctor Activities
  1. Give knowledge to farmer on farm level
    • soil type, limiting , plant suitable in village
    • Soil management fit to soil and water conservation , prevention of soil erosion, soil improvement etc.
  2. Consult and answer each question about soil problem in village
  3. Services
    • soil and fertilizer simplified analysis
    • recomendation for soil utility
    • distribution some elements namely seed for soil conservation, accelerated element for decompose etc.

4. Volunteer in Village
  1. Characteristics
    1. Male/Female, Age over 20 years old
    2. To be willing
    3. Capable read and write
    4. Domicile in village
    5. Interested in soil development
    6. Healthy
    7. Some former training from Land Development Department.

  1. Notice "Doctor Soils" selection system may not have complete all charateistices. The Representative from Land Development Department has authority to consider.

  2. Activities
    1. Bare Foot Doctor stay in village. Their activites are consulting about soil problem, soil samples collection, soil suitability , plant fit to soil type, soil utility, soil management.
    2. Cooperate with other bare foot doctors and other doctors soil type with farmers in village.
    3. public relation.
    4. other activities.
      • Demonstration plot for soil and water conservation.
      • Demonstration green manure and decompose.
      • Exchange seed and provide seed for soil covering.
      • Contribution Ya-Phaeg (vetiver grass)varity.
  3. Benefit / Compensation
    1. Doctor Soils was trained in a course of volunteer in village and they received certificate from Land Development Department.
    2. They received equipment and symbol of volunteer.
    3. Their name are regulative listed in village from Land Development Department.
    4. Doctor Soils can get some privilege namely necessaries factor for product and production from demonstrated plot.

  4. Expiration
    1. Death
    2. Take leave
    3. Migration to other village
    4. No more trust from people in village
    5. Do not have time

5. Service Plan of Doctor 1992 - 1995
Type of Doctor result year 1992 - 1994 Plan Year 1995
5.1 Bare Foot Doctor 10,143 Village 3,500 Village
5.2 Motion Doctor 998 Village 360 Village
5.3 Soil Hospital 17,970 Soil Sample 6,000 Soil Sample
5.4 Volunteer - 65,000 person

6. Expected Output
  1. Farmers have more knowledge with theirs land and land in village.
  2. Farmer use theirs own land in appropriated to soil type.
  3. Farmers have experience with organic and chemical fertilizer for increasing production.
  4. Farmers understand soil problem and find solution.
  5. Farmers know Land Development Department as "Doctor Soils".
  6. Farmers have strategy for "agriculture plan".