Self-Reliance of Community Enterprise: A Case Study of a Thap Lan Woman's Weaving Group in Prachin Buri Province

Abstract

     The objective of this study was to study factors involving a self-reliance of agriculturist group. The selected group of the study was the Thap Lan woman's weaving group in Prachin Buri province. The study was carried out by collecting a primary data from interviewing group committees and group members. The secondary data were also collected from various documents. The study found that there are four internal factors: local wisdom, knowledge management, group management, marketing, and three external factors: community contexts, network, and government policies that has influence on self-reliance of the group. Besides, the group could be self-reliant by having five components: appropriate technology, circulated capital, sufficient raw materials in the locality, enthusiastic group leaders, and helpful group members. The recommendations from the study were five aspects to manage group. They were: 1) to conserve Lan palm trees for long run weaving usage; 2) to circulate functions within groups to attain new generation leadership; 3) to encourage members to participate in the group activities; 4) to perform continuous training for members to uplift their spirits and upgrade their work in order to set up their thoughts and speed up decision making by themselves; and 5) to develop a marketing management for the market enlargement. The suggestions for network were supporting productive information, managing, and accounting. The suggestions for further research were: 1) to study the factors which influence on the Thap Lan woman's weaving group; 2) to study and develop a Lan palm leaves drying machine for using in the rainy season.