Spatial and temporal assessment of farming system’ economic performance for sustainability: a case study in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Author: Yadanar Kyaw

AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.DP-23-02

Year: 2023

Academic Program: Development Planning Management and Innovation (DPMI)

Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2023

Examination Committee: Phuoc Lai Nguyen Thi (Chairperson); Wenchao Xue, Salvatore G.P. Virdis, Ekbordin Winijkul (Examination Committee Members)

Abstract: The future of agriculture is crucial for global food availability and the economic well being of farmers. Cultivation area, farm productivity, farmer’s socio-demographic factors, farming practices, and climate conditions, play a significant role in income generation and food security for rural communities. Through a case study in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, this study focused i) to analyze how rainfall, temperature, planting area, and crop yields have changed over time, ii) to investigate the relationship between crop yields and climate variability (rainfall and temperature), and iii) to explore the factors that influence the economic performance of farming systems. Mann Kendall and Sen’s Slope estimation method was used to evaluate the trends, while spatial trends were visualized in a GIS. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to examine the relationship between climate variability and crop yield. To investigate the influencing factors on economic performance, a multiple regression model was used. The findings display that rice exhibited a decreasing trend in both planting area and yield, conversely, maize demonstrated a positive trend in both crop yield and planting area. Longan showed a positive trend in the plantation but a negative trend in productivity. The correlation results revealed that the temperature has a negative correlation with the yield of longan and rice, conversely, a positive correlation with maize. In terms of average annual rainfall, the analysis doesn’t show any significant correlation with the three crops. Multiple regression identified that factors such as elementary education, household members involved in farming, age of the household head, and soil type were found to affect productivity negatively. Multicultural farming practices and farming experience showed a positive impact on agricultural productivity. Regarding the relation with net income, factors such as farm size, age, livestock, and farming cost/year significantly impacted farm net income

Scholarship Donor(s): Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship

Note: A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning Management and Innovation

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Search keywords index: Yadanar Kyaw Spatial and temporal assessment of farming system’ economic performance for sustainability: a case study in Chiang Mai, Thailand Development Planning Management and Innovation (DPMI) Sustainable agriculture — Thailand — Chiang Mai;”Rural development — Thailand — Chiang Mai”;”Agricultural systems — Thailand — Chiang Mai”