Thesis Abstract of AGS Students

Charal Thong-Ngam (1996)

The objective of this study was to analyse the recent changes in the roles of upland rice in the agricultural and social system, to explain causes, and origins of changes in upland rice-based diversified farming system, as well as to classify the agricultural system in relation to the diversified cropping and farmer objectives with an emphasis on different roles played by upland rice and to determine the impact of the changes in upland rice based production systems. This research was conducted at Ban Mae Salaeb Lang, Ging Amphur Mae Pha Luang, Chiang Rai Province, using questionnaire guidelines to interview 36 farmers. Data were analysed making use of historical and farmer typology approach.

From the research findings, it is found that the agricultural production systems in the study area change from subsistence agriculture to market integration system. This has been caused by changes in agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions as well as state intervention in the study area. These changing conditions have led to a decline in land availability per person, fallow periods and upland rice cultivated area and an increase of cash crops and off-farm activities.

The changing roles of upland rice were found to take place as a result of a combination of factors. Firstly, intervention via Department of Public Welfare, the Royal Forest Department and other agencies have continuously promoted permanent agriculture such as paddy terrace construction, conservative grass strips and perennial trees to replace shifting cultivation. Secondly, market penetration has introduced cash crops such as ginger and cabbage. Increased population pressure in relation to land has shortened fallow periods that lead to intensification in their agricultural production system (APS). The increasing of soil erosion, the decreasing of soil fertility and high weed pressure as the result of new agricultural practices have led to the decrease in the roles of upland rice in their APS.

Farmer typology identificated three types of farming systems and farmers. Type I farmers are market-oriented growing mainly cash crops in their farm. They are in the most insecure position because of low level of land ownership, high weed pressure, low soil fertility and no investment capital in fruit trees and livestock activities. These farmers have no chance to work for off-farm activities in other provinces because only 25% of them have Thai nationality so they have to grow cash crops and work in nearby off-farm activities in order to buy rice for their home consumption.

Type II farmers are the groups who orient their farm around upland rice with self sufficiency as their main objective. They continue upland rice cultivation and other cash crops as long as their fallow generate enough nutrients recycled for crop production. They are nevertheless not self sufficient in food unless they seek off-farm incomes or incomes through some cash cropping or livestock activities.

Type III farmers are paddy rice farmers who are both market and investment oriented. They attain food self sufficiency through the growing of paddy rice and enough capital accumulation to invest in fruit trees, livestock and off-farm activities. They are the most secure among the three groups. These farmers can adapt themselves to bio-physical and agro-ecological changes.

As for future trends of agricultural production systems, it is also differentiated by type of farming systems. Type I farmers may give up agricultural activities due to declining soil fertility and fallow periods. Those who continue farming will be quite insecure and depend on the land. Some Type II farmers may join Type I farmers to grow cash crops but some will have better opportunities because they have Thai nationality so they can travel freely. The latter groups can enjoy medium levels of investment being partly self-sufficient and stable.

The impact of changing roles of upland rice in diversified APS can be assessed by some environmental indicators. Type III farmers are in the best position to practice sustainable agriculture with the high proportion of fallow area and permanent agriculture such as paddy rice and perennial trees. They also have greater wealth measured in terms of house improvement, electronic items and farm equipments when compared with other groups.

Upland rice farming is seen not be a viable enterprise in the long run and Type II farmers will slowly move away from it. This study pinpoints a clear trend of disappearing upland rice in the farming system under pressure. Nevertheless the roles of upland rice is seen to change from a subsistence crop to a ceremonial crop in both Christianity and animism.

The results of this study using historical and farmer typology approaches together with a study of land use changes will be useful for further planning for research and development.

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