Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) has set a goal to save water by over 2 million cubic meters by 2020.

Somkuan Choowatanapakorn, Chief Operating Officer - Swine Business , said that all swine farms have put water usage efficiency as its priority, resulting in the saving of over 5% of water usage per annum.

Chief among water-saving practices, the “water toilet” innovation is being used at all farms. The innovation segregates living and waste areas. In effect, less water is used for the cleaning of the living areas, allowing the company to depend less on natural water. Other practices will also help further cut down water consumption.

“The water-saving scheme at swine farms has reduced water usage by over 5% a year. In 2015, we saved 0.21 million cubic meters, equivalent to Bt1.24 million. The swine business thus targets to boost the saved volume to 2.02 million cubic meters or Bt12.09 million within 2020. We are exploring new treatment technology that will increase our water-reuse ability,” Somkuan said.

He added that CPF has strictly followed the 4Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle and replenish – in conserving water resources. Water-measuring meters are installed at key farm areas to ensure efficient use; for instance, at breeding and delivering areas. All farms must come up with concrete water-conservation measures and reuse “fertilizer water” or treated water in watering trees, grass and home-grown vegetables as well as cleaning roads and parking space inside the premises. All farms must outline recycling practices, by sterilizing treated water and reusing it in cleaning farming areas.

CPF also takes its pride in helping reduce drought impacts through its assistance to nearby farmers for over 10 years which allows sustainable business co-existence. When farmers living around the farms suffer from drought in the dry season, the “fertilizer water” is distributed to their sugar cane, tapioca, rubber, banana, bamboo and cow-feeding grass fields. The water in effect boosts their output and quality, containing growth nutrients. It also saves fertilizer costs for farmers.