Social empowerment initiatives usually target marginalized groups, including women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individuals, so that they can break free from cycles of oppression and discrimination. By increasing an individual’s societal participation, they can have access to resources and the ability to make meaningful decisions that affect one’s life. It is IRPC Public Company Limited’s pride and joy to enable this with its “IRPC Young Smart Farmers” which was also a winner of the Social Empowerment category, presented by the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2024, organized by leading regional NGO, Enterprise Asia.
In 2023, IRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC) implemented the cultivation of gray oyster mushrooms at Ban Nong Sawang School, located 5 km away from the “IRPC Smart Farming Project” at the Disabled Development Promotion Center, Udon Thani Province.
The project empowers children to learn about food by studying, researching, discussing, developing reasoning skills, and applying knowledge in their daily lives, fostering awareness and understanding of food sources and their nutritional benefits. Additionally, the project aims to establish safe food production areas free from chemicals and improve the quality of school lunches for students in underserved schools by utilizing the project’s products. Furthermore, the school can sell the surplus to generate income, which can be used to develop areas where the school lacks resources and to sustain the project independently.
By integrating various knowledge and technologies, the “IRPC Young Smart Farmers” project provided children with agricultural education in both traditional and smart farming methods. Students learned about responsibility, accountability, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They gained experience in diversifying their mushroom products, extending product shelf life, selling products (both retail and wholesale), and maintaining financial records. They also developed observation and recording skills. Most importantly, students can apply the knowledge and experiences gained from the project to create careers and generate income for themselves and their families in the future.
IRPC plans to expand and transfer the knowledge from both the “IRPC Smart Farming Project” and the “IRPC Young Smart Farmer Project” to schools in nearby areas. The initiative will be enhanced by integrating IRPC’s sustainability strategy, or 3C Strategy, which includes Climate Change, Circular Economy, and Creating Shared Value. This aims to facilitate learning, awareness, and self-discipline in addressing and mitigating climate change and global warming issues through the “IRPC Young Smart Farmers Project”.
IRPC has shown great integrity and a commitment to its philanthropic spirit. The “IRPC Young Smart Farmers” project has contributed to the students of Ban Nong Sawang’s quality of life, enabling them to establish safe food production areas free from chemicals and improve the quality of school lunches among many other benefits.
About Enterprise Asia
Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.
About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit https://enterpriseasia.org/area/.