The Functional Structures of a Rubber-based Agroforestry System

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the functional structure of a rubber-based agroforestry system (RBAS).  The methodology of this study consisted of a literature review, field survey and nine farmer interviews, a focus group of 30 informants and data analysis. The results exposed three functional structures of RBAS: 1) economic functions, composed of the four sub-functions of various and even incomes, production efficiency, expenditure reduction and economic immunity; 2) environmental and natural resource functions, composed of the eight sub-functions of land conservation, sedimentary reduction, flood relief, drought relief, storm resistance, air purification, global warming reduction and bio-diversity; 3) social security functions, composed of the six sub-functions of product charity, good health, knowledge sources, local culture conservation, forest intrusion reduction and social grouping. In addition, most of these functions and sub-functions had linkages, having cause and positive effects relationships. The results from this study accord with other Thai and international studies in terms of the economic function and environmental and natural resource function.  Additionally, this study discovered the social security functions of the RBAS.  The functional structures indicated some hidden values of the RBAS system which meant it was mostly resistant to the increasing risks and uncertainties of the world economy and climate change.  A traditional rubber monoculture system cannot have the same level of resistance to the risks and uncertainties because of its narrow economic function.

Keywords: Functional structures, Rubber based agroforestry system, Risks and uncertainties