Approaches to Develop Food Security in the Organic Communities Luang Neua Sub-district, Doi-Saket District, Chiang Mai

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate what food security was in the viewpoint of organic agriculturalists, how food security was related to some performances of organic agriculture, and how did the organic communities improve food security approaches. Qualitative research method by using the content analysis was carried out by collecting the related documents, participant observation, focus group discussion, and in-depth interview (30 participants from San Sai and Muang Wa Villages, Doi Sa Ket District, Chiang Mai). The results revealed that the context of food security in the viewpoint of organic agriculturalists referred to food accessibility, strengthening household economy, creating a sharing culture, and having good health. The holistic perspective on organic agriculture including the production, earning income, tradition and culture, and natural resources and environment, was not only related to the aspects of access to sufficient healthy food but also a having sufficient economy and sustainability of food production. In addition, the approaches to develop food security at a community level were recommended: gaining and disseminating knowledge about organic agriculture, extending benefit of organic agriculture, enhancing adaptive capacity to change, building participation in conservation of natural resources, and increasing the efficiency of agency support. However, these required the supportive policies: allocating land use for agriculture, increasing efficiency of water management, encouraging local plant heredity, focusing on agriculture self-reliance, and developing young agriculturalists.