| Author | Niramon Kaewkallaya |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-11-02 |
| Subject(s) | Land reform--Thailand--Phrae
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resource Management, School of Environment and Resource Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-11-02 |
| Abstract | Besides the land allocation program for the poor, another objective of the Agricultural
Land Reform Office (ALRO) was to improve farmers' livelihoods through the extension of
sustainable agriculture. The program also covered rural infrastructure development and
strengthening of people's capacity in land reform areas. However, past experiences
showed that the development projects implemented by ALRO were not continued and
expanded after the assistance stopped. To cope with this problem, the DIS North Project
was launched and implemented from 2004-2007 using people participatory approach. Its
objective is to improve the living standard of farmers through the practice of sustainable
agriculture, integrated to proper natural resources management and environmental
conservation of the protected areas, including local capacity building.
This study was conducted mainly to analyze the effectiveness of the DIS North Project on
natural resources conservation and management, livelihoods improvement provided to the
local people especially in land reform area. The changes in livelihood status that took
place after the implementation of the project as well as the continuity of project
implementation by villagers were determined through household survey and key
informants interview. The analysis employed both qualitative and quantitative methods.
The capital assets of the Livelihood Framework were used to assess the contribution of the
DIS North Project on livelihood of the people.
Result of the study showed that the D/S North Project were able to contribute to the
improvement capital assets. Natural resources condition including forest, water and soil
were improved after project implementation. Forest conditions as well as dependence of
villagers to forest resources were also reduced. Water quantity increased and soil fertility
also improved through the application of bio-fertilizer and chemical-free pesticides. In
addition, physical capital was achieved effectively from small-scale check dam
construction as well as alternative and cheap energy source from bio-gas making. Both
individual activities and group activities led to better household economy, better
knowledge and experiences through trainings, study visits and skills development, and
better cooperation among stakeholders.
Project sustainability and ownership was proven by the continuity of those activities by the
villagers even after the project termination. Every project activities still exist in the study
area because the villagers still get benefits from them. Some activities were organized in
group but many work individually. However, some participants stopped participating in
some activities because of problems in household economy, low profit from activities and
unavailability of raw materials.
In conclusion, despite success of the DIS North project, ALRO should still provide more
contribution in future development projects by having more livelihoods, trainings and
study visits to ensure project sustainability. Some outstanding villagers should also be
promoted as resource persons to ensure that success will be replicated in other sites
through these resource persons.
Key words: Land Reform, People Participatory Approach, Livelihood Assets,
Sustainability and Ownership, Continuity of Project. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-11-02 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra P. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;
Thapa, Gopal B. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives
(MOAC), Thailand |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |