Dissertation Title The Strategic Management of Rice for Thai

Farmers : A Case Study in Group 2 Lower-

Northern Provinces
Doctoral Student Waraporn worasee
Field of Study Doctor of Public Administration
Institution Graduate School Suan Dusit Rajabhat University
Advisor Professor Dr. Paiboon Changrien
Co – Advisor Assoc.Prof.Dr. Rangson Prasertsri
Expert Assoc.Prof.Dr. Chaloemphong Misomnai
Dr.Lert Chainarong
Academic Year 2007

Abstract

The research entitled “The Strategic Management of Rice for Thai Farmers: A
Case Study in Group 2 Lower-Northern Provinces” is regarded as qualitative research.
Its purposes are to analyse current state of problems in terms of strategies and
management of rice in group 2 lower-northern provinces and to develop appropriate
strategies for rice management of Thai farmers in group 2 lower-northern provinces. Key
persons who acted as in-depth interviewees consisted of the following: Provincial
Commerce Officers of Kamphaengphet, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani; the
Domestic Trade Officer of Nakhon Sawan; the Provincial Agriculture Officers of
Kamphaengphet, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai-Thani; the District Agriculture
Officer of Sawang Arom (in Uthai-Thani Province); the Chairman of Rice Mills
Association; the Managers of the Central Markets of Rice and Other Crops in Photalay
District (Phichit Province) and also in Nong Chang District, called “Uthai-Thani Sup
Ruang Thong,” (Uthai-Thani Province); the Managerial Staff of Khanu Phuet Phon
Company Limited, GN Rice Trading Limited, Nakhon Sawan Thai Mill Rung Ruang 2002
Limited, Sam Kaset Mill Limited, and Supnimit Mill (in Nong Yai Da, Thup Thun District,
Uthai-Thani Provice); the provincial rice exporters of Khamphaengphet, Phichit, Nakhon
Sawan, and Uthai-Thani; the Farmer Group in Khanu Woraluksaburi Sub-District (in
Khanu Woraluksaburi District of Khamphaengphet Province); the Presidents of Farmer
Groups in Khao Jet Look Sub-District (in Thup Khlo District of Phichit Province), Haad
Sung Sub-District (in Krok Phra District of Nakhon Sawan Province), and Bo Yang Sub-
District (in Sawang Arom District of Uthai-Thani Province), the Chairman of Nakhon
Sawan’s Farmer School Network; the Manager of the Bank of Agriculture and Co-
operative (Nong Chang Branch, in Uthai-Thani Province); and also other informants who
were concerned with this research. The researcher discussed the issues of strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and limitations of rice management in the group 2 lower-
northern provinces trying to find practical strategies which were appropriate for the
context of Thai farmers in the group 2 lower-northern provinces. The research
instruments comprised the prepared questions for in-depth interviews and focus group
discussions. The data obtained from the interviews and discussions were then analysed.
As a result, the researcher was able to develop new strategies.
The findings come up with some strategies for developing competitive capability
in rice management of Thai farmers in group 2 lower-northern provinces so that they live
a sustainably better life, following the path way of sustainable development in
accordance with the principle of sufficiency economy with integrative agricultural
methods. The new strategies follow:
1. Standardising rice production,
2. Standardising rice transmutation,
3. Standardising rice marketing,
4. Developing the potential of stakeholders,
5. Developing the network system of rice management,
6. Developing the quality of paddy fields and machinery based on governmental
and international standards,
7. Developing the information transferring system among those who are
concerned,
8. Developing the standards of rice management occupation,
9. Developing both short-term and long-term courses on rice management,
10. Developing counselling system for exchanging knowledge about rice
management,

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 11. Developing research system and innovation,
12. Developing the system and form of evaluation.
This research results in appropriate strategies to be included in state policy to
promote the competitiveness in rice management of Thai farmers in the group 2 lower-
northern provinces. Another benefit of this research is that the newly developed
strategies may be generalised to Thai farmers in other provinces as well.

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