Farmers Development Model of Self-Reliance in Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This research is qualitative research to study specific cases that aims to describe the way of life and the way of farming, including searching for learning process and the self-reliant developmental model of farmers in Chachoengsao province. This is focused on gathering information from in-depth interviews with eight of farmer models individually, and discussions with ten of farmer model representatives and related people including the observations and the field notes. Content analysis and describing were from the phenomenon. The research found that the way of life and the way of farming from the past and the present was in accordance with the progress of economic and social development together with learning, problem solving and adaptation to production changes as well as both in-season rice and off-season rice. These especially were the farmer models who would like to find alternatives to be free from the farming problems under the principle idea of self-reliant. There were four important components in self-reliance learning process: self-reliance perception, self-reliant understanding, way of life and way of farming modification, and the ability of problem solving. It also found that there were two patterns of self- reliance development: development the way of life in the pattern of life-reliance and development the way of commercial farming in the pattern of life-reliance. The results of this research will be a guideline for development in order to raise income and reduce unnecessary production/rice farming for the interested farmers including all relevant agencies.