Vision

“To establish as a living natural museum yielding sustainable agricultural products and restoring natural resources that lead to a sufficient way of life.”

Missions

1. Study, research, test for career development and restoration of natural resources (soil, water, forest and environment).
2. Extend success to people.
3. Promote participation in social development and quality of life.
4. Manage effectively.

Operation Guidelines

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great granted guidelines for the operation in the Royal Development Study Center as follows:

1. Conduct studies, researches, experiments in order to find ways and methods for development in various fields suitable for different environments. Therefore, the Royal Development Study Center acts like a “model” of success that will serve as a guide and case studies to other areas.
2. Exchange and communicate between educators, research developers and farmers. The result from the studies, experiments, and research can benefit the practical use in the area. The Royal Development Study Center is a source of integrated academic and practical learning for researchers, sharing experience and knowledge for developers, and practical learning center for farmers’ occupation development.
3. There is systematic management with emphasis on integrated development based on the principles and basis of self-reliance in accordance with the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. The Royal Development Study Center is a good example of an interdisciplinary concept benefiting the areas the most. It is classified into areas and development models to be used as an example of one particular area and considered the most effective use in whatsoever methods. It is not a one-sided development but utilizes wide ranges of academic fields in order to provide benefits and support the development of other branches.
4. Coordination between government institutes is one of the most important guidelines and objectives. Guidelines for the operation of the Royal Development Study Center emphasize on plan coordination and management between departments, divisions and government institutes to make things happen.
5. It is a one-stop service center. The experimental studies and demonstrations represented the success of the wide-ranging operations of the center together in terms of forest restoration, Department of Land, plant cultivation, livestock, fisheries, as well as social development — folk arts and crafts. As the royal speech, the Royal Development Center has responsibilities as a “Living Natural Museum” or one-stop service development center by offering training or learning courses of comprehensive agriculture to farmers and visitors for further application in their careers. Alternatively, it can develop the life and well-being of people in the aspect of local folk arts and crafts.

Roles and Duties

          Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center is entitled to act as an “educational” place and “develop” at the same time i.e, duties to study, research, experiment, and seeking directions or methods for developing transfer of knowledge in various fields of agriculture appropriately in accordance with the occupational environment of the people living in that area. As a result, people can learn, see, touch, and implement seriously. Once the results of the study are carried out, it extends in a form of “development” to local people living in the village around the center and eventually to wider areas.

          Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center has an important mission to publicize the genius of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to the world community of all nations and classes to be aware of the projects arising from the Royal Initiative according to Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. This is a conceptual framework of principles and practices aimed at building strong communities and developing people to be able to live sufficiently and be self-reliant. Being a learning center to promote and serve the people is based on four principles:

1) Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Based New Agriculture Theory

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great delivered His Majesty the King’s speech to guide the way of life for the Thai people before the economic crisis. Later, he emphasized the solution for surviving and sustainable living in the era of globalization and various changes. His Majesty pointed to the way of existence and conduct of people at all levels including the moderate practice of the operation of the national development and administration of the country and, especially, the economic development to keep up with the globalized world. Sufficiency means moderation, reasonableness, including the need to have a self-immunity against any impacts caused by both external and internal changes. Living life with patience, perseverance, mindfulness, wisdom, and prudence can help one balance and get ready to adjust to rapid and extensive changes in materialism, society, environment, and cultural aspects from the outside world.

Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center has cultivated fruits of knowledge for village farmers around the center while raising their awareness of the royal initiative that “developing people to be able to live with sufficiency and become self-reliant.” Thus, the center has recommended the promotion of the new theory of agriculture according to the royal initiative which is integrated farming suitable for small farmers with a small farming area of ​​10-15 rai. In theoretical terms, the land must be divided into 4 propositions — water body, rice field, mixed crops, infrastructure in the ratio of 30:30:30:10 to a plot of land or according to geographical conditions. It is considered as a way to develop the effective use of natural resources and the environment that can help strengthen the ecosystem, reduce agricultural risks as compared to monocropping, cut down expenses, and increase stable income throughout the year. Moreover, if it is organic agriculture, the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides, and pesticides are eliminated. It helps create a balance of the production system to achieve sufficiency resulting in more biodiverse farmlands, sustainability of natural resources used in the production of soil, water, plant, and forest resources, raising strengthened thought and awareness of self-reliance based on the fundamentals of sufficiency. When self-sufficiency meets with self-reliance, it brings about sustainability.

2) Vetiver Grass Propagation Center for Soil and Water Conservation and Soil Improvement –

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great expressed the royal initiatives, “…For the improvement of land, the soil surface must be preserved with fertility to avoid plowing and washing away of the top layer of the soil. The remaining perennials are preserved in order to restore soil’s moisture…”

On June 22, 1991, His Majesty granted the first royal initiative on vetiver to Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, a general secretary of the Office of the Royal Development Projects Board (ORDPB) to conduct an experimental study on planting vetivers to prevent soil erosion and restore soil moisture. The operation process was a simple, economical method that did not require much nurturing. Farmers can implement it by themselves. As His Majesty voiced, “…vetiver grass is a versatile plant for wide uses. In addition to the main benefits of vetiver grass, it is used for preventing soil erosion and helping restore soil fertility. Vetiver roots extending deep into the soil absorb toxic from running water contamination. Additionally, its clumps and leaves have unique features to help prevent damage to crops and farming areas from termites, rodents and also snakes…” He emphasized entire soil development processes to share with people who receive good benefits to participate, and engage in farming.

The Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center realized this mission. Therefore, It initiated the propagation of vetiver seedlings in order to distribute them to farmers and anyone interested in planting in their own areas. The center also prepares documents on the recommendation of vetiver planting propagation and planting vetiver grass to get more water for creating soil in a dry area, promote development and campaign for vetiver planting to conserve soil and water, and creates a stimulating plot of land to demonstrate and promote the planting of vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion in areas with runoff due to soil surface erosion and sloped areas, planting vetiver grass at the edge of the pond to prevent soil erosion and planting vetiver grass to conserve soil moisture in the field of cultivation of field crops and fruit trees, etc.

3)  Promotion of Planting and Use of Herbs

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was graciously pleased to grant royal permission to establish the Khao Hin Sorn Herb Garden in 1980 as a plantation site. It is to collect different types of medicinal plants for academic research, publicizing medical properties, and serving a place of knowledge center to students and anyone interested. Khao Hin Sorn Herb Garden is a collection of more than 1,000 types of medicinal plants.

Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center promotes the cultivation of medicinal plants and conducts research studies on the utilization of medicinal plants for prevention, treatment, and relief of certain diseases in humans, animals, and plants. It is to reduce harm and toxicity from the chemicals in bodies, become eco-friendly, and bring back nature in order for the balance of the ecosystem as farmers are encouraged to grow and process herbs for extra income and add the value of agricultural products.

4) Vocational Training Center

Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center provides vocational training in comprehensive agriculture, folk arts, crafts, engine maintenance, computer skills for farmers, students, and others interested in response to the royal initiative on the Royal Development Study Center being a learning center to enhance professional knowledge and skills, boost practices to become more proficient, and guide career path for earning more incomes. Any interested farmers or the general public can contact the center for free training at any time.

In addition, the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center has a mission to become an established source of learning and internships for students and learners from general educational institutions as well.