About the AAN

Our work begins with community.  Farmers’ groups throughout northeastern Thailand (the Esan region) develop sustainable agriculture techniques based on the local ecology and expand their positive impacts by training and educating other members of their communities.  By producing high quality, organic rice and a diversity of fruits and vegetables, AAN members create sustainable livelihoods for their families and build concrete bases for alternative, local economies.  As farmers throughout Thailand are heavily impacted by debt, environmental degradation and health problems, AAN members have moved beyond these problems and work to support others in transitioning away from chemical-intesive moncropping.  Click here for more information from Supa Yaimuang, coordinator the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, which provides essential support for our network.

Our members live in eight northeastern provinces – Roi Et, Ubon Rachatani, Yasothon, Mahasarakam, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Petchabun and Surin – and we often work with farmers groups in Sisaket and Udon Thani.

We also work together with the Thai government through the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), Agricultural Land Reform Office, and a number of other bureaucratic organizations.

Consumers are an essential part of building a sustainable food system.  In Surin, Mahasarakam and Ubon Ratchatani provinces, green consumer groups have sprouted up to support Green Markets and be advocates for local producers.  Informed consumers have the power to make alternative choices and build direct relationships with producers themselves.  In the coming year, with the support of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, continuing green consumer efforts will be a priority for our network.

By forming relationships with farmers groups in other districts and provinces, our network is able to connect farmers to information about current ag-related issues and policies.  This knowledge empowers farmers to mobilize and work for change, both locally and nationally.  The AAN represents the voices of tens of thousands of farmers and their struggle for a sustainable and fair food system in Thailand.  We also connect issues in Thailand globally, by working with La Via Campesina, Grain, ENGAGE, and a number of other organizations with whom we have developed relationships in solidarity.

The AAN empowers communities to develop sustainable alternatives and work for change in society.

The AAN currently focuses on 7 major issues:
Developing a sustainable agriculture system – organic seed saving, local variety production and using the network to raise the status of model farmers to be teachers and advisers for other organic farmers

Agricultural knowledge preservation and expansion – improving the resources available for members projects and creating new opportunities for agricultural knowledge

Community Resources – moving beyond what is available to an individual farmer and working on a community level to sustainably utilize common resources like community forests and local irrigation systems

Policies and Movement – creating a relationship between the farmers’ movement and government policies by distributing information about government policy plans, agro-industry and other issues to members

Youth – working to find ways to promote small-scale, organic farming as a sustainable livelihood

Network Fund – managing a rotational fund to distribute among farmers’ groups for local-level projects

Alternative Markets – establishing Green Markets throughout the Isaan region