Sustainability in Agricultural Supply Chain: Lesson Learned from a Large-Scale Agricultural Extension Project of Orange in Maesin District, Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai Province
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Abstract
This article aimed to examine sustainability within the agricultural supply chain, focusing on a collaborative project in orange supply chain implemented by a farmer extension group in Maesin, Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai province, Thailand. This study employed a qualitative research method, utilizing a semi-structured interview guide based on the three dimensions of sustainability (Economic, Social, and Environmental) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Thematic analysis was subsequently used to analyze the interview data and understand the actual sustainability of the agricultural extension project. The findings showed – Even with continuous support from the government policy in the collaborative large-scale agricultural extension project, the strong group leadership was instrumental in sustaining the group, particularly in retaining its members. High member participation is a key factor for sustainable development and the overarching sustainability of the group, which allows it to achieve five of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research was limited to a case study of only one of the seven groups involved in the orange farming extension collaborative project in Maesin, Sukhothai Province. The article fills the research gap by demonstrating the government's efficiency and sustainability in funding, using the agricultural extension project as a case study and applying Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the complexity and varying characteristics of agricultural supply chains for different fruits, the findings may not be generalizable to all types of farming collaborative projects. The practical implication is that understanding the group’s key operational factors provides valuable guidelines for sustaining the group and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in similar collaborative extension projects in other areas.
The findings offer guidelines for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the large-scale agricultural extension project by revealing previously undocumented real-world practices by Actor Network Theory (ANT) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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