Opening Hours: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Holidays: Closed on public holidays

 

Bang Berd Farm in Bang Saphan Noi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, was established in 1920 by Mom Chao Sithiporn Kridakorn, a visionary and innovator in integrated agriculture. Together with his wife and two young children, he began the farm to implement modern agricultural technology and knowledge in ways suited to Thailand’s unique geography and climate.

 

In an era when Thai agriculture often focused solely on rice production, Mom Chao Sithiporn recognized the benefits of crop diversity, particularly on upland fields, allowing for full land utilization. He introduced commercial livestock farming with animals like Leghorn White chickens, Yorkshire pigs, and dairy cattle, focusing on the sustainable production of eggs and meat. Bang Berd Farm was the first in Thailand to use ground cover crops and crop rotation, replacing the traditional slash-and-burn approach.

Agricultural Experimentation and New Techniques Bang Berd Farm also served as a research center for a wide range of crops, including American watermelon varieties like Tom Watson and Klondike, later known in Thailand as "Bang Berd Watermelon." The farm also grew Virginia tobacco, cured with heat for superior quality, along with peanuts and corn imported from abroad, used as both green manure and animal feed. These products were sold in markets in Bangkok and Penang, making Bang Berd Farm the pioneer in successfully cultivating foreign crops in Thailand.

 

Mom Chao Sithiporn's work went beyond experimentation for personal gain, as he actively shared his agricultural knowledge with farmers nationwide. He documented his findings and published articles in newspapers, making practical information accessible to Thai farmers. These publications later inspired the founding of Kasikorn, a newspaper aimed at promoting agricultural knowledge to the public and high-level policymakers.

 

After Mom Chao Sithiporn sold Bang Berd Farm to the government, it was repurposed as the Sithiporn Kridakorn Research Station under the care of Kasetsart University. Today, this research station operates on the original 385-rai property, preserving Bang Berd Farm’s legacy. It features a memorial commemorating Mom Chao Sithiporn’s contributions to Thai agriculture and continues to be a learning hub for integrated agriculture.

 

Bang Berd Farm marked the beginning of integrated agriculture and technological adaptation in Thailand. Mom Chao Sithiporn Kridakorn’s innovative ideas laid the foundation for sustainable farming practices, animal and plant diversity in agriculture, and the spread of knowledge through community-focused media. His legacy remains a significant influence in the Thai agricultural sector, fostering sustainable practices and knowledge-sharing among farmers across the country.