Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

FLR349 is a nature-based solution project with the objective to restore the ecosystem, the local food system, and build resilient communities through agroecology. The project has clear actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems in a way that addresses societal challenges to effectively simultaneously provide human well-being and biodiversity benefits. Farmers are incentivized to switch from agrochemical monoculture, a major source of GHG emissions and deforestation, towards a mixed agriculture system. Through a development of a sustainable value chain, products from the landscape will be sold to local food and retail markets, generating income for the community and enhancing livelihoods. The project has built upon multi-stakeholder collaboration with all sectors working towards a common goal This is an active project which first started in 2017 (Phase II beginning in 2022), and sustains its operation through donations, crowdfunding and a social enterprise business model.

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

Scientists agree that sustainable agriculture and forest restoration have a strong role to play in both reducing GHG emissions and storing carbon in the soil. Sustainable agriculture models and practices have the potential to not only reduce emissions from unsustainable practices but increase sequestration and act as important carbon sinks, which are vital in preventing the rise of global temperatures and mitigating the impacts of climate change. This is the case with the FLR349 agricultural model used in the project. Area-Based Assessment of GHG Quantification: A Case Study of Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province, a study commissioned by the project to the National technology and Science Development Agency (NSTDA), found that maize plantations contribute to heavily to GHG emissions and the annual haze pollution problem that Thailand suffers from annually. On the other hand FLR349, as an agroforestry model, stores significantly more carbon than it releases and provides many other more environmental benefits. Due to the higher carbon storage potential of the different plants planted together, and the planting of perennial crops, a regenerative agricultural system that captures carbon in the soil and above-ground biomass (plants) is created, reversing current trends of atmospheric accumulation of CO2 causing climate change. Additionally, through the growing of mixed perennial crops instead of maize, the amount GHG emissions released from slash and burn techniques which is heavily used to clear areas for monoculture agriculture in Thailand due to the sloped nature of the area will be reduced. These emissions are toxic and are the cause of haze pollution. - the report can be viewed here: https://www.wwf.or.th/en/scp/upcoming_event_/reports_/nstda_report/

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The conversion from a biodiversity landscape to monoculture agriculture in the lush DTL landscape has left the farmers and their communities more vulnerable to climate change and more susceptible to ecological risks. This includes being more impacted by droughts. Through the use of agrochemicals, the soil condition is degraded and unable to retain water/ moisture and have become more prone to erosion. Monoculture crops are also less likely to be able to retain water due to the uniform nature of their roots. 

This large-scale conversion for monoculture agriculture is due to market demands pushed by large agribusinesses, meaning smallholder farmers often do not have a voice, especially when it comes to climate actions. Helping form farmers groups and supply chains that help these farmers while providing training and platforms help empower these farmers while helping make them more climate resilient. 

Young farmers are also empowered with the help of the project. Many youths are now realising the need for small-scale sustainable agriculture, which generates a better income and less risks when faced with climate irregular weather patterns. They realise the importance a shift away from monoculture is for the climate movement and GHG reduction. While they have more knowledge on the use of technology, tools, and market opportunities and are more willing to take risks, they lack the resources and opportunity needed. Through the supply chain, access to agricultural outputs, and training these young farmers become more empowered and are more likely able to contribute to the climate movement.

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