Agricultural sustainability : The empowerment of rubber-smallholders in Thailand

Buncha Somboonsuke, Asst. Prof., D. of Agricultural Development, F. of Natural Resources, PSU.
Ganesh. P. Shivakoti, Assoc. Prof., D. of Resource Development, School of Environment Resources and Development, AIT.
Corresponding e-mail : sbuncha@ratree.psu.ac.th or asd997163@ait.ac.th

Grant : School of Environment Resources and Development, AIT
Published : Research Report
Key words : rubber smallholder, agricultural sustainability, farmer empowerment, rubber-based farm systems

Following the economic crisis of 1997 in Thailand rubber smallholders along with many other farmers were forced to adjust their farming strategies and systems to maintain viability and remain sustainable into the future. One important aspect of change was empowering such smallholders to have more control over their farms, which had been until that time largely under the influence of their leaseholders and the rubber marketing system. Such empowerment involved several factors, including increased self-sufficiency, better understanding of the causal agents of their expenses and income, development of skills, increased participation in the decision-making processes which affected them, and increased participation in community organisations. Based on criteria of farm production level, energy used, clarity of objectives, sufficient capital for necessary investment, and undertaking new initiatives to deal with problems, smallholder empowerment has increased markedly. This paper describes the process and outcome of increased empowerment of rubber smallholders in Thailand since the economic crisis of 1997, focusing particularly on the psychological aspects of the farmers changing attitude.

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