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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

Sufficiency economy philosophy process implementation and outcomes: The case of Naso, Yasothon Province, Thailand

(Thailand), Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Development (Central Luzon State University)

Dissertation Abstract:

This research focused on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), which was developed and advocated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It aimed to describe and determine the process of SEP implementation and outcomes. The survey method and focus group discussion were used in gathering data. The research covered three villages in Naso Subdistrict, Kudchum District, Yasothon Province, Thailand. A total of 137 household heads who were involved in the projects for more than five years were interviewed. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics and Pearson Product-Moment Coefficient Correlation (r).
 
The land area in the three villages covered by the study was composed of forest area, cultivated area, and residential area. Farming was the major source of income, while employment, service, and commerce were sources of secondary income.
 
The household heads were husbands, with mean age of 58.09 years, who completed secondary education, and had an average household size of five members. They were involved in the Nature Conservation Organization and had been getting loans from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operative for capital used in farming production. They received information on SEP through television. They had been taught by the tradition “Heet sibsong” to live in the middle path.
 
Their own general concept of SEP was “live a life according to his earning/ income, mental capacities, and available personal resources”. They had highly favorable perception and attitude on the SEP in terms of state of mind, social affair, natural resources, and environmental management, technology, and economic affairs.
 
There were 10 economic, social, and environmental projects implemented in the three villages that were operational and guided by the principles of SEP from 1980 to 2004. The government officers, village leaders, and villagers played major roles and had varied capacities and interests in the project conceptualization, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Training on project management, financial management, and technology utilization were conducted among officers and members guided by the principles of moderation, reasonableness, and self-immunity in all their actions.
 
Results revealed that increase in income of the household was the major benefit derived from applying the SEP. Social, cultural, and environmental benefits in the household level and community level were also obtained.