Author: Wachira Petcho
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss. no.RD-21-01
Year: 2021
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (Ph. D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2021
Examination Committee: Sylvia Maria Szabo (Chairperson); Kyoko Kusakabe, Vimolwan Yukongdi (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: In rapidly developing economies such as Thailand, farmers have faced multiple challenges preventing them from improving their economic well-being. Community enterprises (CEs) have recently emerged as a new form of such collective action, yet there is limited evidence regarding the roles and characteristics of rice production CEs (RPCEs). Farmers’ perception of RPCEs and the impact of RPCE membership on farmers’ economic well- being are still unknown. In order to fill this research gap, this thesis employs the Random Utility Theory to examine how paddy farmers make a choice when deciding to join or not a RPCE and how this decision affects their economic well-being. Uthai Thani province is purposively selected and six districts are further chosen due to similarities in agro-ecology. Primary data from 178 members and 228 non-members are collected during face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative methods applied in this study include weight average index to investigate farmers’ perception of RPCEs, and logit regression model to examine determinants of RPCEs’ perception and decision to join. Propensity score matching is applied to investigate the impact of RPCEs on farmers’ economic well-being. The study yields important findings. Surprisingly, over half of chairpersons of studied RPCEs are female. RPCEs have scarce finances and provide mainly output marketing services. The available technologies are of small-size and low quality for premium products. RPCEs have similar rice varieties and certify domestic standards. Results further show that RPCEs playa vital role in increasing food security, human development, gender equity, and group solidarity, but not employment creation. Lack of credit services, limited capacity to buy a large amount of rice and limited market channels are the highest constraints. Furthermore, both members and non-members perceive RPCEs as a saving source but not a credit provider. Members put more emphasis on the product competition with rival
Scholarship Donor(s): Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thailand; Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship
Note: A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning Development
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