Reference

Transformations actuelles de l'agriculture Thailandaise : etude du systeme agraire de Thung Look Nok, Ph.D thesis (in french), 350 p.,  INAP-G
May, 1998.

Authors :

Thippawal Srijantr

Summary :

What is the right place for the agriculture in the economy of Thailand ? This critical issue was addressed trough the detail study of the Thung Look Nok area, in the west of the central plain. An historical view of the agriculture shows that the past self-sufficient system was turned into a modern system mostly devoted to exportation and agriculture products. After a period of sugar cane domination, a great diversification is observed in the study area, with the appearance of baby corn and cows.
This area may be be kept for agriculture, or dedicated to urbanisation and industrialisation in  the next years. This situation is a good example of the main challenge of the country in the future : to gain an harmonious and efficient development of both agriculture and industry.
Our detailed investigation of the Thung Look Nok area led us to realise that a diversified and a versatile agriculture -mainly relying on middle size familial farm units- would constitute the only reasonable and sustainable approach : such an agriculture system should ensure the food independence of the country and enable a large part of the population to live from agricultural activities.

Keywords :

Mae Klong / Farming systems / Agrarian systems / Cropping systems / Diversification /
Marketing / Sugarcane / Rice / Horticulture

Contacts :

Thippawan Srijantr : agrtws@nontri.ku.ac.th