Product Offerings
Products:
Organic Rice: paddy and milled rice
Organic Grains & Nuts: assorted organic grains and nuts
Um Saeng Community Organic Products Co., Ltd. is a grassroots agricultural cooperative based in Rasi Salai District, Sisaket Province, Thailand. Formed through the collective initiative of local farmers, the company focuses on the production, processing, and community-led marketing of certified organic agricultural products — with a primary emphasis on organic rice and grains.
Core Business and Product Offerings
The organization specializes in the cultivation and distribution of certified organic products rooted in sustainable farming practices. Their main product categories include:
-
Organic Rice:
- Whole paddy rice for milling
- Processed brown and white rice for consumer packaging
-
Organic Grains and Nuts:
- Assorted regionally-grown organic grains and legumes
- Seasonal varieties of chemical-free nuts and native seeds
These products are cultivated without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, relying instead on traditional Thai farming knowledge and natural soil enrichment methods.
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition
- Community-Driven Model: Operated as a cooperative, the company redistributes profits to support local development and farmer welfare.
- Certified Organic Practices: Compliant with Thailand’s organic agriculture standards with select farms practicing natural composting and rotational cropping.
- Local Rice Varietals: Emphasis on indigenous and heirloom rice strains that are drought-resistant and nutrient-rich.
- Sustainable Water Management: Based in an area known for floodplain agriculture, the cooperative incorporates traditional irrigation and flood-adaptive techniques.
Market Reach and Customer Base
Though primarily focused on domestic markets, Um Saeng Organic products are distributed through:
- Thai organic food retailers
- Health food stores in urban centers
- Regional trade fairs and OTOP showcases (One Tambon One Product program)
- Social commerce via their Facebook page
Customers include urban consumers seeking traceable, chemical-free rice and health-focused specialty buyers.
Production Practices and Capacity
- Farming Area Coverage: Estimated ~250 rai (approx. 100 acres) of certified organic farmland
- Farmer Network: ~70 smallholder farmers coordinated through cooperative leadership
- Annual Output: Several hundred tons of organic rice and related grains depending on rainfall cycles and planting rotations
- Processing Facilities: Small-scale, community-run rice milling and grain sorting facility
Digital Presence
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UCOP2016/
- Used for announcements, product promotions, and customer engagement
- Platform for pre-orders, seasonal crop updates, and community news
There is currently no official website or e-commerce platform, emphasizing the company’s rural operational style and direct buyer engagement.
Certifications and Quality Assurance
- Certified organic under Thai domestic standards, with some products labeled under organic transition certification for newer plots.
- Participates in government-sponsored sustainable agriculture programs such as Green Net and Organic Thailand initiatives.
Socioeconomic Impact
- Enhances income security for participating rural households
- Revitalizes abandoned or degraded farmland with organic cultivation
- Promotes youth participation and women’s leadership in agriculture
The cooperative is an example of agrarian social enterprise, integrating sustainable practices with inclusive local development.
Recognition and Participation
- Frequently participates in provincial OTOP trade events
- Highlighted in regional agricultural forums for its success in organic community mobilization
- Recognized by local agricultural extension offices for promoting safe, chemical-free farming practices
Major Achievements
- Transitioned over 250 rai of farmland to organic cultivation within 5 years
- Built a cooperative model that supports over 70 local farmers
- Developed a recognized brand, Um Saeng Organic, with loyal customers in Northeast Thailand
- Maintained zero pesticide usage and fully natural soil enrichment protocols
Um Saeng Community Organic Products Co., Ltd. stands as a model of rural resilience and ecological integrity, offering health-conscious consumers high-quality organic rice and grains while supporting a thriving community-based agricultural ecosystem.