Development of a community-based self-management process for safe food in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand

Abstract

Action research was used to develop a community-based self-management process for safe food in the Nong Sarai subdistrict, Phanom Thuan district, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. The research procedure consisted of three phases: (1) preparation; (2) planning and implementation; and (3) conclusion and reflection. The research participants were: 6 university researchers; representatives of 3 government agencies; and 30 community members, comprising community leaders and farmers, along with 558 household representatives. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire, while qualitative data were gathered through interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicated that the Nong Sarai community had considerable potential for self-management through the creation of a learning ecosystem. Local economic data were integrated to develop two strategic plans, with one for safe rice production and the other for safe vegetable production. The outcomes of the self-management development process were: (1) the utilization of community-based data to integrate strategic plans at the subdistrict level and link them to community development projects; (2) increased community awareness of safe rice and vegetable consumption; (3) reduced production costs through the use of bioproducts; (4) the establishment of producer groups and the planning of safe vegetable production in accordance with standards; and (5) the expansion of safe food self-management practices from the model subdistrict to other learning subdistricts. A tangible outcome of this initiative was the sustainable intergenerational transfer of self-management practices for grassroots economic development.