A Model for Capacity Development of Community Bamboo Weaving Groups to Strengthen the Grassroots Economy Based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy: A Case Study of Ban Nong Ken Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This research consists purposes were 1. to examine the levels of potential in production skills, product development, group management and marketing of the bamboo weaving group in Ban Nong Khen, Nong Saen Sub-district, Wapi Pathum District Maha Sarakham Province 2. to investigate approaches to increasing the value of bamboo weaving products 3. to study the development of group management systems and the creation of marketing channels and 4. examine the economic impacts on members of the bamboo weaving group. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research instruments included questionnaires, interview forms and activity evaluation forms. The target group consisted of 70 residents of Ban Nong Khen, selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean and standard deviation. The information gathered from interview forms were then content analysis. The findings revealed that 1) the overall potential in production skills, product development, group management, and marketing significantly improved after development, reaching the highest level (x̄ = 4.35, S.D. = 0.40), compared to the moderate level before development (x̄ = 2.98, S.D. = 0.49) 2) approaches to increasing product value showed that post-development potential was at the highest level (x̄ = 4.10, S.D. = 0.40), higher than the pre-development level (x̄ = 2.99, S.D. = 0.47) 3) the development of group management systems and marketing channels resulted in significantly higher post-development potential (x̄ = 4.19, S.D. = 0.41) compared to the pre-development level (x̄ = 2.94, S.D. = 0.49) and 4) economic impacts indicated that group members experienced increased average income, greater occupational stability and clearer future economic opportunities. The development of community capacity not only improved income but also strengthened the economic structure at both household and community levels.