Abstract:
The objectives of this qualitative research were to: (1) study contexts related to changes in a production system and values of small-landed agricultural household; and (2) study factors and models related to success in the poverty resolution based on the principle of sufficiency economy. The participants were selected purposively. In-depth interviews and focused-group discussions had arranged by the researchers to collect data. Totally, there were 81 agricultural households participated in this study including: (1) 27 agricultural households living in Ban Borkae, choomponburi district, Surin province; (2) 25 agricultural households living in Ban Yang Noi, Mahachanachai district, Yasothorn province; and (3) 29 agricultural households living living in Ban Ponehard, Kasetwisai district, Roi-et province.
The study found that:
The ways of life of agriculturist in the 3 above-mentioned areas are based on the the traditional belief about Heet 12 Klong 14 which has been inherited from their ancestors since the past time. Future, the Buddhist principles are also employed as a guideline for their daily life too. In addition, they also live basing on the self-reliant concept in order to service drought during the dry season and floods in the rainy season. Thung Kula Rong-Hai has been mentioned widely as an inappropriate area for agriculture since the past time. However, the Thai government has issued the policy to overcome the problem of poverty by providing several projects to improve a production system for agriculturists. As a result, the agriculturists have an opportunity to exchange knowledge and wisdoms among them. Nowadays, there is learning centers established in villages.
During 2015-2016, the study revealed that there are about 4.28 members in each family. Generally, the participants graduated at a primary level (52.74%), a secondary school level (37.75%), and a bachelor degree level (9.51%), respectively. The average number of land of each agricultural households is about 32.99 rai and about 29.66 rai are used for growing Hom Ma-li. Each rai could provice Hom Ma-li rice about 366.94 kg., approximately. The agriculturist incomes are mostly are mostly generated from rice selling. Others sources of incomes are from domestic animals, gardening, weaving, and working for money. The income of each household is about 317,134.57 baht per year. The study also showed that the average expense for a rice production is about 68,535.37 baht for each household while the average expense for household consumption is about 133,670.04 baht per year. Normally, the agricultural households usually borrow the money mainly from the bank for Agriculture and Agricultural cooperatives. The average debt of each agricultural household is about 273.506.17 baht.
According to the agricultural households motivation to live basing on the principle of sufficiency economy, the study found that the first reason is to practice and perform following His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadejs suggestions. The second reason is because of they love to be agriculturists. The reason is because they believe that their families will live happily if they are living based on the principle of sufficiency economy. The fourth reason is because the knowledge about sufficiency economy has been promoted publicly. The fifth reason is because the agriculturists believe that they will be free of debt if they live based on the principle of sufficiency. The sixth reason is because the agriculturists ensure that the sufficiency economy could help them to overcome the state of poverty by decreasing expenses, increasing incomes, and saving money. Finally, the agriculturists need to produce organic products themselves for their own consumption.
In order to overcome the state of poverty, there are factors and components related to the success of agricultural households as following. First, people must be prepared for readiness through the Buddhist principles. Second, a management of household resources should be distillated to form to form new body of knowledge. Third, the agriculturist must perform based on the principle of integrated farming. Fourth, a production process and a utilization of resources should be managed effectively for a cost reduction and for an increasing of income. Fifth, living behaviors of people within a family should be changed by trying to reduce and stop all vices. Sixth, the agriculturists should be able to integrate and apply knowledge related to land, air, and climate together for a production of non-toxic qualified products. Seventh, a living should be focused on a living for physical and mental happiness. Finally, a consideration should be paid to how to overcome the state of poverty by using wisdoms and moderate practices.
However, the important conditions to overcome the stage of poverty consist of 5 conditions as following. First, the agriculturists have to believe in the concept of sufficiency economy. Secondly, the agriculturists should be willful and need to be a self-reliant family. Thirdly, the agriculturists should work hard and being patient. Fourthly, knowledge and wisdoms should be exchanged all the time among the agriculturists. Fifthly, the agriculturists should perform professionally.
Results generated from real practices are as following. First, there will be a security in foods for a family through a year. Second, ways of life of agricultural households are simple where every member in a living together. Third, it is easy for relatives to assemble especially in occasions. Fourth, the agricultural households could be able to help for a communitys sustainably strengthening through their unity and generosity. Fifth, in order to overcome the stage of poverty through the principle of sufficiency economy, the agriculturists should be firmly grounded on the belief and practice based on the sufficiency principle. Further, the agriculturists have to use their knowledge and wisdoms to manage their resources most effectively and efficiently. Sixth, a households debt could be able to reduce through an application of household accounting. This is aimed to reduce a production cost and a daily expense and it is also hoped that this will also help to increase a saving level of agricultural households to overcome the state of poverty, finally.
The strategies to overcome the state of poverty based on the principle of sufficiency economy consist of establishing the belief about sufficiency economy, managing resources and labors of a family according to individuals ways of life, working by supporting to increase to ability, local wisdoms and knowledge in order to reduce expenses and to increase, incomes, focusing on a familys saving, and having a process to generate a security in foods of a family, a community, and a network.
Basing on this present study, it is recommended to establish cooperatives for agricultures, producers, agricultural consumers, and integrate farming producers within a community. Knowledge and wisdoms should be transferred to agriculturist through training and workshop in order to reduce a production cost ad increase income. Further, the principle of sufficiency economy should be promoted publicly as a way to overcome the state of poverty. This could be done by acknowledging people about saving, making a household expense account, and living based on the Buddhist principles. In addition, the government has to support the agricultural households for factors production. This also includes a community especially for a preparation of water resources for a community by digging a well or pond, constructing an irrigation system, improving or rehabilitating water resources within a community for gardening. Another recommendation is that there should be a green market for agriculturists to sell their products. Finally, officers whose jobs are related to in rural areas based on the integrated farming and sufficiency economy.