PROMOTING THE COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE OF THE MAHACHANOK MANGO GROWERS GROUP BAN NONG BUA CHUM, NONG HINNONG KUNG SI, KALASIN PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to; 1) study the situation, challenges, and factors related to the success of the community enterprise of the Mahachanok Mango Growers Group; 2) study the role and multi-sectoral collaboration network in support of the community enterprise of the Mahachanok Mango Growers Group; and 3) study the development guidelines. Community Enterprise of Mahachanok Mango Growers Group Ban Nong Bua Chum, Nong Hin Subdistrict, Nong Kung Si District Kalasin Province. This was a qualitative research study. The author conducted a review of related documents and then conducted in-depth interviews with key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents were purposively selected. The author also conducted focus group discussions with ten persons who have been working with community enterprises for at least three years. This research found that agencies in the government, private sector, and Civil Society support occupational development through group enterprise activities. There is support for the full participation of all group members. The group uses strategies to promote clear communication and assigns roles based on the different skills and abilities of each group member. The group is supported by outside entities to build knowledge and skills in crop cultivation, financial management, public relations, and marketing of products. The success of the Mahachanok Mango enterprise group is based on applying the guidelines of occupational development as a key component of their operations. All group members participated actively in capacity - building and training activities. They learned about successful group management principles. They learned how to add value to their production processes, and how to skillfully market their produce in order to generate income and profits. Now, the enterprise group has become self-sufficient. This success is attributable to the collaboration of the relevant agencies in the government and private sector, which also benefitted from the process through the principle of ‘collaborative governance.’ The members of the group enterprise are able to refine and improve their cultivation methods and market their products to generate a sustainable income. This is also helping to make the Ban Nong Bua Chum Community more economically stable and self-reliant.