Thitima Neiamsampao. Learning to manage natural food resources : a case study of a women's group in Kanchanaburi, Thailand . Master's Degree(Environmental Education). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2004.
Learning to manage natural food resources : a case study of a women's group in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Abstract:
Therefore Mhoo 1 (Ban Plai Na Suan) is a Karen village in Kanchanaburi
with great potential in natural food resources. However, these is a lack of knowledge
about how to manage these resources and the women of the village are not organized
to do so. The objectives of this research were: (1) To design a learning process to
encourage women in community based natural food resources management (2) To
study the situation of food availability and community based natural food resources
with the participation of the women’s group. The research involved 6 steps:
(1) Studying the community (2) Making acquaintance with the community and
searching for women core leader group. (3) Introducing issues in community based
natural food resources to the women (4) Researching food availability and community
based natural food resources (5) Setting up a master plan for community food security
(6) Drafting a report. There were 54 women in the group who participated in the
learning process. There were 16 core leaders and 10 local research volunteers. The
learning process started from setting up the core leader group, followed by introducing
issues in community based natural food resources, research on food availability and
community based natural food resources and finally meeting to set the plan for
community food security. Therefore, the local research volunteer group acquired skills
in collecting community data. The core leader group developed abilities to organize
teamwork and coordinate activities. Also, through their participation, the women
understood more about community based natural food resources. Most of the
participants got together to draft the master plan for community food security. The
principles of the plan were: (1) Natural resources rehabilitation (2) Adding value to
natural food resources (3) Developing tourism (4) Conserving Karen culture and
(5) Promoting legal rights in land holding. The research recommends that the
community and the relevant government agencies should encourage the women’s group
to increase their roles in applying the master plan to achieve food security