SUCCESS STORY OF FORMER POPPY SOWERS WHO NOW REAP BIG REWARDS

Once they survived by cultivating opium. Now most of the hill tribes
who did so are supporting their families by growing other crops
through the Nong Hoi Royal Project.

It is quite an achievement that 25 percent of Doi Kham crops are
produced by the project in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district. The former
hill tribe poppy farmers are now employed by the Royal Project, and
have turned it into a new agro-tourism and eco-tourism site.

Situated in Nong Hoi Kao village in tambon Mae Raem, it takes about 45
minutes via the Chiang Mai-Fang Highway (Highway107). After 17 km,
turn left onto the Mae Rim-Samoeng (Highway1096) and continue for 15
km. Then take the paved road on the right (between km 14-15) and
continue for 7 km.

The project encompasses seven villages, 358 households and 2,883
inhabitants - mostly Hmong, Lisu, Chinese Haw and local people.

The Nong Hoi Royal Project was initiated by HM the King in 1969 when
he visited the area. He thought of establishing a program to create
sustainable occupations for the villagers who mostly conducted
slash-and-burn farming and cultivated opium. In 1974, His Serene
Highness Prince Bhisadej Rajani, chairman of the Royal Project
Foundation, received a royal dictate to establish a center at Nong Hoi
village to replace opium with cash crops.

The Royal Project has planted 53 strains of vegetable, of which sweet
cabbage, cabbage, Petsai Chinese cabbage, and spinach are the
best-sellers, as well as fruit.

The project has 170 members, who last year received 19.5 million baht
from a total revenue of 22.7 million baht raised by the sale of 1.74
million kg of crops.

From this royally initiated project, each member family can earn
about 125,000 baht a year, and it aims to increase their annual income
to 200,000 baht by 2006.

At present, the project is running a demonstration plantation of
Chinese tea, kiwi, plums, persimmon, strawberries and cab gooseberries
as well as various herbs like rosemary, mint, lemon balm, chamomile,
lavender and peppermint.

All the produce passes the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standard
to be promoted as organic crops.

The project does not restrict itself to farming: community groups to
manage water distribution within communities, an anti-drugs group for
youth that provides recreation, sport and jobs (like the local young
guides project), a housewives' group to produce handicrafts, a
cooperative to sell fertilizer to community members are other examples
of the Royal Project's support network for surrounding
communities.

A school providing education up to Pathos 6 (Grade 6) and a public
primary health service are also provided.

At the project site, there are also four interesting eco-tourism
routes that lead visitors to experience the Hmong lifestyle. These
routes are "Mon Long" situated 1,450 meters above sea level and 3 km
from the center, "Mon Doi" situated on High Mountain near the Nong Hoi
Mai village and 3 km from the center. Along the way, terrace farming
can be observed and the scenery is very attractive during the winter
and raining seasons. "Ban Sam Lung" is the third route, just 1 km from
the center; along this route, the scenery of the Ban Mae SA Mai, a
botanic garden and Pong Yang can be seen. Mae Chi-Pang Hay route is
the fourth, lying in the south of tambon Mae Raem, and 9 km from the
center. Along this route, the local lifestyle, a nursery plantation,
the Wang Hang waterfall and Tad Mock waterfall can be experienced. The
most interesting part on this route is the New Year celebrations of
the Hmong. Accommodation and camping at reasonable prices for large
groups and families are available.

If interested, please contact the Tourism Activity Department of the
Nong Hoi Royal Project.