Development of the Food Security Model through Community Network Management in Makha Subdistrict, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the community context regarding food security in Makha Subdistrict 2) examine the factors influencing community economic development based on the area’s context and the management of community networks for food security in Makha Subdistrict 3) develop a model for enhancing community food security. Data collection was conducted using qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 50 purposively selected community representatives and quantitative research through questionnaires distributed to 361 residents of Makha Subdistrict, using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The research’s results have been found as follows:

        1) Food sufficiency comes from occupational production and seeking food from natural sources. People in the community have equal and independent access to food. The main benefit is household consumption. The community faces droughts and floods every year. 2) The factors influencing community economic development based on the area’s context and the management of community networks are, overall, at the highest level in all aspects. 3) The food security model through the management of the sub-district community network has the following guidelines: (1) raising community awareness, including the food sufficiency by increasing knowledge and skills in various crops or livestock; food accessibility by promoting about food sharing, equality including care and restoration of food sources; utilization by improving skills in food preservation and processing; and food stability by providing knowledge in preventing or reducing damage from natural disasters. (2) Promoting community economic development based on local contexts includes economic conditions by developing food production and processed food products; income distribution by promoting equality of opportunity; and environmental quality by promoting management in controlling and supervising community resources or environment systematically. (3) Enhancing community network management, includes the steps of realizing network integration, mutual agreement creation, network management, relationship development, and relationship maintenance and continuity, with an emphasis on developing network relationships to benefit the expansion of the scope of community food security.