A few of years ago, we had the idea to start growing chili on our own property. It started as a way to provide ourselves with these fiery delights, but it quickly grew into a plan to sell parts of the harvest at local markets. We know people who were making a decent profit from a similar setup.
From the very beginning, it was important for us to grow as naturally as possible. Instead of using chemical pesticides, we turned to more earth-friendly solutions – like using tobacco, which is a proven alternative here in Thailand.
Image: Our small Thai chili farm a couple of months into the process. Photographer: Jens
I spent countless hours loosening up the soil and preparing it for what was to come. Then Tong took over – planting, watering and nurturing. In the beginning, everything went as planned. The chili plants grew, and soon the first fruits began to appear.
And Then the Problems Started...
My knowledge of insects – or pests, as they’re called in these situations – is virtually nonexistent. But those were exactly the creatures that started feasting on our crops. Tong tried using more tobacco, but it didn’t help much. He Googled, asked around in his circle, and tried several tips he got, but without much success. Nothing helped, more than temporarily.
Image: A chili plant from our farm, just before the problems. Photographer: Jens
In the end, we managed to salvage about ten percent of the harvest, and since Tong, my wife, and I had other things to focus on, we decided to give up.
Not everything you try turns into a success – but at least we gave it a shot. And nowadays, it’s more of an inside joke about our short, yet intense, career as chili farmers. Sometimes, you’ve just got to laugh at your earthy failures.
Image: A chili plant from our farm, before the problems started. Photographer: Jens
