Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School

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Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School

The Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School was established by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,the Exwcutive Chaiperson of the Chaipattana Foundation, who is aware of this problem. HRH Princess Sirindhorn wants this school to preserve the traditional methods of rice cultivation, and help the farmers to understand H.M. King Bhumibol’s sufficiency philosophy. The Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School is the first school in the country that teaches both farmers and buffaloes, and serves as a vocational institution that trains buffaloes and farmers to work together, as well as provides other visitors with traditional agricultural practices.

10-day Training Course (1st-10th of every month)

- Aim: The main activity at the Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School is to provide an intensive 10-day training course to farmers and their buffaloes. The course aims to produce the most efficient buffaloes and farmers who can effectively train and command their buffaloes.

- The Instructors: There are less than 10 instructors at the school. These are experienced farmers who are expert in buffalo training and agriculture. Even though they do not hold degrees in agriculture or teaching, these instructors are highly respected as they have been carefully selected from over 200 farmers from all over the country.

- The Teachers: Experienced buffaloes are regarded as teachers because they teach both buffaloes and farmers.

- The Students: Farmers and their buffaloes are both students. Farmers who do not own a buffalo can get one from the Royal Cattle and Buffalo Bank for Farmers that works in cooperation with the school. If the buffalo later produces a calf, the farmer then must turn the calf over to the bank as an exchange.

- The Training: The training contains theoretical and practical parts. The course provides farmers with comprehensive knowledge of traditional rice-growing techniques, and using a buffalo, rope, and plough, rather than tractors. The relationship between farmer and buffalo is important as they are interdependent. The course starts by teaching farmers and buffaloes to work together as a team. The training then continues in the practice rice fields where the teacher-buffalo models for the new buffaloes, learning to plough by following closely behind under command from the farmers. The course also includes how to take care of the buffaloes, operate rice farms, and maintain financial records.

Interesting Info

          HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn named the school “Kasorn Kasivit” because “kasorn” means buffaloes and “kasivit” refers to agricultural science. When put together, “Kasorn Kasivit” means an institute that teaches about buffaloes and agriculture.

          Apart from witnessing the buffalo training, visitors can also learn how to give commands to the buffalo; such as, ‘turn left,’ ‘turn right,’ or ‘go straight,’ and practice ploughing with them in the rice field.

Traditional Rice Farming Method The school has an open-air museum displaying ancient agricultural tools and equipment. Instructors explain about the origin and usage of each of these farming tools as well as traditional rice farming techniques. During harvesting season, visitors also learn how to harvest rice using traditional methods.

Interesting Info

          To familiarize yourself with the buffalo, try to stroke the buffalo’s chin and nose for him to recognize your smell. It is also a way of showing that you are gentle.

Practical Applications of Sustainable Living

          To promote sustainable living and conserve natural resources, the school provides demonstrations on how to build earthen homes as well as produce biogas and organic fertilizer.

          Rice farmers have always had a close relationship with water buffaloes. Even though modern technology has introduced tractors to help optimise the rice yield, the cost of these tractors is much more than that incurred by the use of traditional methods involving buffaloes. The Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School preserves the time-honoured local wisdom of growing rice in the traditional way, as well as teaches farmers and the public the fundamental concepts of the agricultural way of life of H.M. the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy.

Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School: +66 (37) 244 657, +66 (88) 289 1299

Remark: It is recommended that visitors to the Kasorn Kasivit Water Buffalo Agricultural School use a tour guide, as there may be a language barrier.