In northern Thailand, a quiet yet powerful change is taking place. When National Geographic photographer Rena Effendi visited the region to document sustainable farming, she met Wisa Lakkhampa, a farmer whose journey reflects resilience, innovation, and hope for the planet’s future. What started as a simple story about eco-friendly farming turned into a tale of courage, climate action, and women’s empowerment in agriculture.
A Childhood Rooted in Struggle and Strength
Farming runs deep in Wisa’s life. Born and raised on a small farm in Khon Kean, in Thailand’s Isan region, her early years were full of challenges. Her parents separated when she was born, leaving her mother to work far from home to support the family. These hardships built Wisa’s inner strength and inspired her to lead a life of independence and purpose.
- Effendi shared that Wisa’s struggles helped her become a symbol of perseverance.
- Despite her tough beginnings, Wisa never gave up on her dream of improving farming practices.
- Today, she stands as a model of resilience for small farmers facing climate challenges.
Climate Change: The Greatest Challenge
For over ten years, Wisa has grown potatoes for PepsiCo, but climate change has become a serious threat to her livelihood. Rising temperatures, frequent droughts, and floods now make farming unpredictable for smallholders like her.
- As global temperatures rise, crop yields fall — hurting food security worldwide.
- Many local farmers, including Wisa, rely on family labor and community support to keep their farms running.
- Reduced harvests mean less income, higher food prices, and uncertainty for future generations.
This crisis pushed Wisa to look for sustainable and smarter ways to farm — methods that could protect both her crops and the environment.
A Partnership for Regenerative Farming
In 2022, Wisa joined a training program led by PepsiCo and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) — a German organization working on climate resilience projects. This program, known as develoPPP, has already trained over 3,000 Thai farmers on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture.
Key initiatives from the program include:
- Teaching farmers how to reduce water use and restore soil health.
- Promoting crop rotation and integrated farming to improve yields.
- Encouraging farmers to share knowledge through workshops and demo farms.
Wisa quickly became one of the most active participants. “I love learning about agriculture,” she said, adding that the program gave her new tools to protect her land from climate damage.
Innovation That Transforms the Land
Through the training, Wisa started using alternate wetting and drying techniques in her rice fields — a method that saves up to 30% of water and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. After harvesting rice, she plows the remains back into the soil to boost fertility before planting potatoes and corn.
She also uses drip irrigation and has cut back on pesticides and fertilizers, proving that eco-friendly farming can still bring higher yields and better profits. Her “whole farm approach” now serves as a learning model for others.
- These sustainable techniques are helping small farmers adapt to global warming.
- Wisa’s income and production both improved while her environmental footprint decreased.
- The success has encouraged nearby farmers to adopt similar methods.
Empowering Women and Communities
Wisa is not just a farmer — she is now a mentor and leader. She helps train other women farmers in her community, sharing her experiences and inspiring them to take part in regenerative farming.
According to Atthawit Watcharapongchai, the project manager of develoPPP at GIZ Thailand, “Wisa showed leadership potential from day one. She is now a key figure guiding the female farmer group.”
Her rice field also serves as a demonstration plot where locals can learn techniques that protect soil and water while improving yields. These open exchanges have created a culture of trust and cooperation within the farming community.
A Future of Hope and Collaboration
Wisa believes that collective effort is the key to long-term success. “It’s difficult for smallholders to be resilient alone,” she said. “Working together makes us stronger.”
Through programs like develoPPP, farmers have seen:
- A 50% rise in income between 2022 and 2024.
- A 27% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton of crops produced.
- Greater access to markets and resources for sustainable farming.
As more farmers follow her example, Wisa’s work continues to influence Thailand’s agricultural future — and inspire others around the world. Her story shows that real transformation begins with one person’s determination to make a difference.
Conclusion: Seeds of Change
This is not just a story about farming — it’s a Breaking News moment in sustainable living. Wisa’s journey, captured by Rena Effendi’s camera, reminds us that hope for our planet often starts with small actions that grow into something much bigger.
In a world facing climate uncertainty, her resilience and innovation shine as a model for all. Through her efforts, Thailand’s farmers are learning how to protect the earth while feeding the future — one crop, one field, one community at a time.
