Day 1: ECHO Asia/Partners Thailand Tropical Agriculture Workshop

The first day of the 2012 ECHO Asia/Partners Tropical Agriculture workshop was off to a great start.  With nearly 30 persons participating, the activities were geared toward the humane slaughter of livestock and the basics of SRI (System of Rice Intensification).

During the livestock workshop, a pig and a few chickens as well as a number of catfish and tilapia were humanely slaughtered and prepared.  With a diverse group of participants, approaches to animal slaughter varied.  Exchange of ideas, techniques and opinions was cordial and extremely beneficial from a practical standpoint.

The afternoon SRI workshop involved hands-on training related to producing a modified mat rice seedling nursery, removal and transplant of seedlings (less than two weeks old) and weed control.   ECHO Asia is grateful for the use of the Partners Thailand small farm facility and the expertise of Boonsong and Sombat, Partners Thailand staff.