Villagers’ Strategies in Agricultural Development and Land Use at Baan Sri Tia, Amphoe Baan Hong, Changwat Lamphun

Abstract

This article proposes a study of villagers’ strategies in the course of changes in development in general and in agriculture in particular. The fieldwork was conducted at Baan Sri Tia, Amphoe Bann Hong, Lamphun. This study found that rice plantation had gradually but irreversibly given way to longan production. This new fruit production brought with it a new way of utilizing resources. As longan is a long-life plant (15-20 yrs), its plantation can be considered a long-term investment. Water, land- use and marketing connections have become new factors the villagers have to contend with. Unlike family labor-based rice production, longan orchards require intensive labor and water management on an occasional basis. Consequently, the villagers are in a position to diversify family labor from farming to non-faming occupations such as daily paid laborers in different activities, petty traders and wage laborers in the Lamphun industrial estate.