Local Resource Management to Strengthen the Economy of Agricultural Communities Ban Pok, Mae On District, Chiang Mai Province

บทคัดย่อ

     This research was a part of a project to enhance the operational potential and participatory community enterprise marketing for sustainable agriculture. The objectives were to study 1) community context and social and economic conditions, 2) community capital building economic strength, and 3) guidelines for applying community capital to build economic strength in the community. The research was conducted using a qualitative research method to collect information from documents, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. The research is descriptive research with 20 farmers as a sample group.

       The study found that the Ban Pok Agricultural Community, where Arabica coffee, Assam tea, and temperate and subtropical fruits are grown, is 1,200-1,550 meters from the average sea level and has a suitable temperature to grow plants. It is also a learning center for tourists and interested individuals. The five community capital are (1) human capital (knowledgeable members, local leaders, government leaders, educational institution leaders, private sector leaders, and community organization leaders or community enterprise group members), (2) social capital (knowledge exchange through community learning centers with farmers networks), (3) physical capital (universal access to basic infrastructure), (4) natural capital (an appropriate climate for planting crops and sufficient natural resources), and (5) financial capital (adequate funding sources inside and outside the community). Furthermore, the agriculture community at Ban Pok has been observed to practice the concept of self-reliance and to possess knowledge, community leaders, and strong local authorities. Therefore, the potential of community capital can be maximized.