Enhancing Food Security for Poor Households in Subyai Sub-district, Subyai District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) investigate the food security challenges of poor households, and 2) identify guidelines for enhancing food security among poor households in Subyai Sub-district, Subyai District, Chaiyaphum Province. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 14 key informants who were heads of target poor households identified by the 2025 TPMAP system as failing the Basic Necessary Minimum Need (BMN) criteria. Additionally, focus group discussions were conducted with 29 key informants, divided into two subgroups: 14 representatives from poor households and 15 development partners. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results revealed that:

1) investigate food security challenges of poor households in Subyai Sub-district, Subyai District, Chaiyaphum Province were identified as follows: (1) Availability: natural food sources had declined; (2) Access: socio-economic constraints and loss of communal land limited food acquisition; (3) Utilization: chemical contamination led to nutritional risks; and (4) Stability: households exhibited high dependence on external markets and lacked self-reliance awareness.

2) Guidelines for enhancing food security among poor households in Subyai Sub-district, Subyai District, Chaiyaphum Province included: (1) establishing household food sources through organic production; (2) establishing grassroots economic security coupled with the promotion of knowledge and vocational skills in agricultural product processing; (3) addressing chemical issues by strictly promoting organic farming; and (4) fostering continuous self-reliance awareness to ensure sustainability without over-relying on external budgets.