Craft cocoa by Thai farmers in Chiang Mai
Ms. Siriya Pulek, former professional nurse of Lisu descent and the Secretary of the International Lisu Federation of Thailand, recognized the importance of cocoa cultivation and processing for community development. She is committed to promoting organic cocoa farming, reducing chemical use for better health, and fostering sustainability while minimizing environmental impact.
Promoting Cocoa Cultivation for Sustainable Farming
Ms.Pulek encourages farmers to grow cocoa organically with Effective Microorganisms (EM) technology from Japan, improving soil health, reducing chemical use and costs, and enhancing cocoa quality. This sustainable approach boosts yields, protects the environment, and supports better livelihoods.
Enhancing Thai Cocoa with University Collaboration
In collaboration with Assistant Professor Dr. Chinanaat Wittyaprakorn of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Ms. Pulek initiate a project to develop Thai cocoa production and processing with aims to enhance competitiveness and self-sufficiency while distributing income to local communities, elevating northern Thailand’s cocoa sector for high-quality, recognized products.
Empowering Thai Farmers through Cocoa Learning
Ms.Pulek established a learning center to enhance Thai farmers’ skills in cocoa cultivation and processing, offering practical training in organic farming and processing techniques. This helps improve yields and quality, reduce costs, and serves as a hub for sharing success in the cocoa community to develop the cocoa industry in Thailand.
“From farm to community, she transforms cocoa into a pathway for sustainable living.”
“I love chocolate and noticed many others do too. While Thailand import large amounts of cocoa, few grow it. Hilltribe villagers mainly cultivate tea, coffee, and rice, which earn little. I saw an opportunity to promote sustainability and boost villager’s incomes, so I started growing cocoa and studying its processing seriously.”
