| Author | Laksiri Chomchuen |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-07-14 |
| Subject(s) | Rice--Thailand--Yasothon--Marketing
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The research examined the effectiveness of the Community-based Rice Exporting Group (CBREG) in generating viable benefits to rural farmers. The main objectives were to examine management aspects of CBREG; assess the effectiveness of the CBREG development activities in providing the services to local members, obtain feedback of local members on their benefits, perception of effectiveness and satisfaction from the CBREG performance and identify strengths, weaknesses and needs of the CBREG. The assessment on the effectiveness of the CBREG concentrated on its four maJor activities. These are the promotion on the organic rice cultivation, the community rice mill, the resource mobilization through the shareholdings and the savings and the information dissemination via the meeting and the community radio. The research made a comparative study between the two services area of the CRBEG of Na So and Sri Tan.in Yasothon province. A survey questionnaire was a prime method employed to collect data from 75 sampled households. The research primarily used the quantitative analysis and supported by the qualitative approach. Key findings of the research showed the effectiveness of the CBREG in orgamzmg activities to generate viable benefits to its members in most of their activities organized for its members except the saving service. The members have increased their knowledge and skills on the organic rice farming techniques after attending the training courses provided. The rice mill played an important role as their major paddy market since it has been offered a reasonable price and fair service to the local farmers. The group members were committed to the group by holding group shares which they gained some dividends annually. As for the information dissemination through the meetings, they received knowledge on rice farming technologies, paddy price and marketing, and other useful information. The effect from the group meetings was not only increasing their knowledge but also expanding their social network in the group. The delivery of information via the radio was found very pragmatic and useful for the distant members. It was one of the major sources for them to receive the news and knowledge from the group. Overall, they were satisfied with the activities provided by the group with the high degree of benefits based on their perception. Several strengths were found in this group consisting of the effective group management of the committees, transparent and systematic accounting system, external technical support and beneficial activities generated to its members. Major weaknesses of the group were the workloads of the committee and staffs, budget constraint, inadequate knowledge and skill on marketing and accounting and limited utilization of certain group activities. Certain recommendations were suggest to strengthen the effectiveness of the CBREG performance. These included the provision of more study visit on the liquid organic fertilizer making and the pest control, the increase of technical staffs on the organic farming promotion work, the provision of technical support on the marketing and the financial aspects and the increase of financial support. |
| Year | 2007 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | RTG Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |