ORFSC - Organic Rice Fund Surin Agriculture

The small-scale farmers of the Surin Rice Fund Cooperative focuses on promoting organic agriculture as a way to address rural poverty, improve the environment, and support sustainable community development. The organization was founded in 1992 and became Fair Trade Certified™ in 2003. Nurturing between five and ten acres of land, farmers produce ancient varieties of healthy, delicious rice. The saline soil of the region provides outstanding conditions for aromatic Jasmine rice, along with the nuttier Red Jasmine rice and exotic Coral and Black Sticky rice. The cooperative's dedication to environmental stewardship has contributed to Surin, Thailand being named the country’s first official organic province. Located near the Cambodian border, rice fields stretch to the horizon, providing both a source of livelihood for a majority of the population in the region as well as a point of religious gathering. Becoming Fair Trade Certified by Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) in 2003 has supplied organic farmers with a guaranteed market and reduced migration to cities by farmers in search of other employment opportunities.