Author: Kampanat Pensupar
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss. no.RD-03-01
Year: 2003
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2003
Examination Committee: B.W.E. Wickramanayake (Chairperson); Gopal B. Thapa, Reidar Dale, Preeda Pakpian(Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The Royal Government of Thailand formulated the Reshucturing Agricultmal Production System Project (RAPS) in 1993. The objective was to reduce the planted areas of crops that were facing price fluctuation, and inh·oduction of new crops and activities to stabilise the income of fa1mers. Rice, cassava, pepper and coffee were the main crops that were facing price instability at that time. The project encouraged farmers to grow vegetables, fruit trees, cut flowers, and bamboo, and also encouraged other farmers to engage in animal husbandly. The objective of this research is to assess the perfmmance of this project in Det Udom Dish·ict. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives formulated the Project without the consideration of many variations between regions such soil quality, location and climate and followed a top-down approach, with the stakeholders (the farmers) having a minimal involvement in the formulation of the project. This had contributed to the difficulties encountered at the implementation stage of the project. The officials at the field level lacked adequate knowledge of the project and simply carried out the instructions handed down from above. Due to lack of understanding about the project objectives, the selection of farmers was not caiTied out in the anticipated manner. Although the intention was to focus more on the farmers growing rice on unsuitable land, most of the fa1mers who joined the project grew rice in areas where the conditions were highly suitable for the crop. Personal contacts played a role in the selection of the participants. The beneficiaries did not have sufficient knowledge of the projects objectives, due to the fact that there was no attempt, on the part of the implementers, to create an awareness of the project. Low interest credit appeared to be the most ath·active element of the project for many beneficiaries. Subsidized inputs were the next appealing factor. Some farmers misused the low interest credit extended to them. On the other hand, indebtedness a
Scholarship Donor(s): The Royal Thai Government (RTG)
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
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