Participatory Action Research for Improving Hygiene Standard and Packaging of “Kanom Kayasart” of Banwangkhwai Small Organic Agriculture

Abstract

This study was a participatory action research with three purposes: 1) to develop knowledge about good hygiene practices of manufacturers of “Kanom Kayasart”, 2) to create cooperation with the manufacturers to develop hygienic standards in the production process and 3) to develop packaging of “Kanom Kayasart”. The study participants were the group of “Banwangkhwai small community enterprise, Chacheongsao Province”. This study was implemented between November 2011 to September 2012.

The major processes of this study included: 1) examining baseline data of the producing process of “Kanom Kayasart”, 2) surveying and analyzing producing process of “Kanom Kayasart” about cleaning and appropriateness of ingredients and raw materials, 3) developing implementation guidelines for hygienic standards and packaging formats, 4) developing hygienic standards and designs of packaging.

The results showed that some of the production procedures of “Kanom Kayasart” not were not clean and not according to the principles of good hygiene practice. The research was carried out to improve the hygienic production process. As regards the packaging of “Kanom Kayasart” it was found that there were no interesting logo and label. Moreover, the paper stickers attached to the bag, if exposed to moisture or heat, could peel off easily and its colors could also easily fade off. The study had developed and designed a  logo for the products and suggested materials appropriate and safe for packaging and with aesthetic improvement.