Production and distribution of community-distilled spirits: An extension guideline for adding value to rice of Seed Group and Agricultural Product Processing Community Enterprise, Ban Non Chueak, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This research aims to study the production process of community-distilled spirits, marketing channels and the added value of rice, problems and limitations, as well as suggestions to improve production. This research was conducted in Seed Group and Agricultural Production Processing Community Enterprise in Khon Kaen Province. It is qualitative research. Informants include 23 people of community enterprise leaders and members. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics along with content analysis. The results found that the community enterprise was established and registered in 2017. In 2023, there were 27 members. For distilled spirits production, sticky rice, traditional Thai fermentation starter (Look-Pang), and water are used. The process of distilled spirits production consists of 2 steps: fermentation and distillation spirits. The community enterprise sells distilled spirits through 3 channels, including sales at the production site, sales via purchase order, and sales at agricultural product fairs. The result also found that increasing the value of rice by processing rice into community distilled liquor has a cost of 27.3 baht per 1 kilogram of rice, which is calculated as a profit of 72.7 baht per 1 kilogram of rice. It increased value by 266.3 percent from the cost. Farmers expressed the highest opinions on the choice of processing rice into distilled liquor and selling it to community enterprises (30.4%). Most of the problems that the community enterprise faces are not problems in the production process but are problems in the legal process, such as requesting permission to produce community distilled spirits. Guidelines for promoting the production of community distilled spirits include planning rice cultivation to produce sufficient yield for the production in community distilled spirits, supporting modern distillation equipment, and improving product distribution channels.