FarmCycles: Cultivating Sustainability

In Thailand, smallholder farmers face similar challenges to those in other developing countries, including limited access to affordable agricultural inputs, soil degradation, and environmental concerns associated with conventional farming practices. There are approximately 5.7 million smallholder farmers in Thailand (source: Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives). Most farmers often struggle with agricultural inputs including fertilizers which can hamper their high yield and income potential. Furthermore, the usage of chemical fertilizers in conventional farming practices can lead to soil degradation and water pollution, posing environmental and health risks. Not only Thailand but also many other countries are increasingly concerned about the impacts of agriculture on climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production and use, and also from rice straw fires after harvesting. The Thai government supports the development of organic agriculture because of the increasing demands for organic products in the export market. However, a shift in government agricultural policy and in consumer demands in Thailand are needed if farmers across the country are to reap the full benefits possible from converting to non-chemical farming. According to organic farming systems, toxic chemical pesticides or fertilizers are not used. However, chemical fertilizer is necessary and widely used by Thai farmers. But rates of chemical fertilizers applied by farmers are overuse than the recommended rates. Organic fertilizer plays a vital role in better production and becomes an alternative source of essential plant nutrients and food waste. Therefore, the need to increase crop yields by using organic fertilizer.

Our solution, gives farm waste a new life by transforming materials like livestock manure, crop residues, food waste, and weeds into organic fertilizers through composting and vermicomposting methods. We use these methods to efficiently convert the waste materials and plant nutrients into eco-friendly fertilizers. We produce different organic fertilizer brands including NAREE FARMER (Vermicompost), LITTLE COW (Bio Fermented Water), AAHAR (Organic Premium Plant Nutrients), LITTLE COW (PlantFood Premium), and KHUN DI with 7 different formulas for various microbial and bacterial diseases. Our products actively reduce carbon footprints while promoting sustainable and environmentally conscious practices for plant growth, closing the loop on waste and nourishing agriculture.

The solution aims to directly benefit smallholder farmers in Thailand who currently face challenges such as limited access to affordable agricultural inputs, soil erosion and environmental concerns associated with conventional farming practices. By promoting the adoption of organic fertilizers derived from plant nutrients, farm waste and food waste. Through the use of organic fertilizers, farmers can improve soil health, mitigate environmental impacts, promote healthier communities by reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, and enhance their economic viability by potentially accessing premium markets for organic produce. By providing support and resources for the transition to organic farming practices, the solution aims to meaningfully improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Thailand while fostering long-term sustainability in agricultural systems.

Our Team Leader, Okka Phyo Maung, and the entire team are deeply connected to the communities we aim to serve through "FarmCycles: Cultivating Sustainability." Okka's experience in environmental advisory and financial management has allowed him to build strong relationships within these communities, understanding their needs and priorities firsthand. Additionally, his expertise in environmental regulation and project management has enabled him to establish trust and rapport with local stakeholders.
Our team's diversity and proximity to the communities ensure that we can effectively incorporate their input, ideas, and agendas into the design and implementation of our solution. We conduct regular consultations and participatory workshops with farmers and community members to gather feedback and insights. This collaborative approach allows us to co-create solutions that address the specific challenges faced by local farmers while respecting their knowledge and practices.
Furthermore, we prioritize community engagement throughout the entire project lifecycle, from planning to execution and evaluation. By actively involving communities in decision-making processes, we ensure that "FarmCycles" reflects their values and aspirations, making it a truly community-driven initiative for sustainable agriculture.

We produce different organic fertilizer brands including NAREE FARMER (Vermicompost), LITTLE COW (Bio Fermented Water), AAHAR (Organic Premium Plant Nutrients), LITTLE COW (PlantFood Premium), and KHUN DI with 7 different formulas for various microbial and bacterial diseases. Our products actively reduce carbon footprints while promoting sustainable and environmentally conscious practices for plant growth, closing the loop on waste and nourishing agriculture. We have over 100 customers and beneficiaries benefiting from our solution.

I'm applying to solve the issues associated with agricultural inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which negatively impact yields, income potential, and contribute to high greenhouse gas emissions. With funding, we aim to expand our techniques and products beyond Thailand to the international market. I'm passionate about addressing these challenges head-on, and with our background and expertise, we believe we can contribute meaningful solutions and make a positive impact in this area.

Our solution innovates by giving farm waste a new life by transforming materials like livestock, crop residues, food waste, weeds, and plant nutrients into organic fertilizers for soil nutrients. We produce organic fertilizer with different formulas for various microbial and bacterial diseases. Our products actively not only reduce waste but also reduce carbon footprints while promoting sustainable and environmentally conscious practices for plant growth, closing the loop on waste, and nourishing agriculture.

Our solution, addresses the urgent challenges for smallholder farmers in Thailand. By repurposing farm waste into organic fertilizers, we offer a sustainable alternative for chemical fertilizers.
Our theory of change involve engaging in the collection of farm waste, which are then transformed into organic fertilizers. Then, we will conduct community farmer field school and awareness training on the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
In the short term, we aim to improve in soil health and crop yields among farmers who adopt our organic fertilizers. By reducing reliance on chemical inputs, we aim to mitigate environmental degradation, including soil and water pollution.
We envision broader systemic changes in agricultural practices over the long term, with increasing numbers of farmers using organic farming methods. This solution is sustainable which not only enhances the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but also contributes to larger-scale environmental conservation efforts and food security initiatives.

Over the next year, we aim to empower Thai smallholder farmers with our sustainable techniques and organic fertilizers derived from farm waste, livestock waste, and plant nutrients. This will help them reduce farm waste, high chemical usage, and harmful environmental contaminants. We are passionate about empowering farmers to achieve higher crop yields and income while increasing the availability of organic food for improved food safety in the market.

Our solution can solve the problems we currently face in our communities, aiming to benefit both people and the planet. Our approach leverages sustainable techniques, including organic fertilizers derived from farm waste, food waste, weeds, and plant nutrients. This builds upon traditional knowledge systems while reducing reliance on high chemical usage and improper disposal, which can harm soil nutrients, pollute the environment, and contribute to climate change.

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5 years

Our team is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our company CEO is a woman and we have a total of 20 team members, working on this solution, whereas, 14 colleagues are women. We prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive environment equally for all. Moreover, our team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds, including HR, CSR, finance and environmental specialists, all working collaboratively to achieve our goals, mission and visions. We aim to increase representation of underrepresented groups, implement inclusive policies, provide training, and foster open communication.

Our business model focus on providing value to smallholder farmers through sustainable agricultural solutions. We offer organic fertilizers made from recycled farm waste and education & training programs on sustainable farming methods. Moreover, we also engage with local communities to raise awareness and promote adoption of our solutions. Our solution helps to improve soil fertility, enhance crop yields, and promote environmental sustainability by reducing chemical inputs and minimizing waste. Through our solution, we aim to create a resilient and sustainable agricultural system that benefits both people and the planet.

RecyGlo is committed to processing materials safely, nurturing a clean global environment. By empowering organizations for a circular economy, we cultivate inclusive innovation, striving for an environmentally responsible world. We have already found success through direct or indirect sales of our premium organic fertilizer and products and providing crucial income while offering a sustainable alternative for farms. Our services in sustainable farming techniques further support our operations and empower farmers through knowledge and collaboration. We actively seek grants, funding, and partnerships to accelerate our impact, while exploring investment opportunities for long-term scalability. This multi-pronged approach ensures we can continue thriving financially while staying true to our mission, creating a win-win for farmers, the environment, and ourselves.