Effect of economic changes on small-scale aquaculture in northeast Thailand | |
| Author | Phairat Phromthong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-99-10 |
| Subject(s) | Aquaculture--Thailand, Northeastern Thailand, Northeastern--Economic conditions |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School ofEnvirornnent, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-99-10 |
| Abstract | Through the process of globalization, changes in macro-economic factors have considerable influence on the local economy. Thailand's economy experienced rapid growth in the last thirty years, causing a shift in economic structure from an agriculture-based economy to one based on the urban-industrial sector. Labor in the agricultural sector migrated for off-farm employment in the industrial sector, so that agriculture became a second priority for many rural villages. In the middle of 1997, Thailand's boom economy crashed and the country became dependent on the International Monetary Fund to inject capital to solve the economic problems. This sudden change in the economic situation has affected the living standards of ordinary people and led to a rethink about the place of agriculture in the economy. Aquaculture has been a minor subsistence activity of farm households in the Northeast region for over two decades and has been affected like other parts of the agricultural economy by the rapid economic growth which has caused labor shortage and other resource conflicts. This study is focused on determining the effect of the economic change on this particular sector, in terms of its contribution to the household economy and changes in the operations of different aquaculture systems. Five groups of aquaculture farmers were targeted in the study: those culturing herbivorous fish for household consumption; farmers rearing sex-reversal Tilapia in ponds; those practising cage culture of sex-reversal Tilapia; hybrid catfish farmers; and those engaged in prawn culture. The study was mainly conducted by means of a structured household level questionnaire survey. The results of the study showed that, after the economic change, the local household economy had also changed, especially through increased out-migration. Despite this, however, off-farm income decreased because of the higher cost of living of those living in Bangkok and some unemployment. The farmers thus switched back to try to intensify the agricultural system to increase the contribution of agriculture to their livelihood systems. Aquaculture appeared to be a good alternative for farmers in this situation. The aquaculture systems mainly affected by the increasing investment levels in those systems based upon commercial inputs, because the price of these inputs increased. This was true of pellet feed, inorganic fertilizers, lime and rice bran. The effect on those systems where aquaculture was mainly for subsistence was a decrease in investment levels as farmers changed from commercial inputs to those obtainable on-farm. In 1998, in terms of economic returns, the majority of farmers achieved a profit from aquaculture systems in aggregate but this decreased if considered on a per area basis. This was caused by a variety of technical, environmental and marketing problems. However the market for aquaculture production in the region remains wide. With dynamic economic change it is important that farmers have alternative culture methods which help them to adjust to the new circumstances. Thus, it is important that government·. agencies increase their role in spreading information to farmers on the appropriate technology alternatives and the market prospects to help them with their decision-making. However, some systems are relatively new to the Northeast region and adaptive research is still required in a number of areas such as farm-made pelleted feed production technology, improved seed quality, appropriate feeding rate, and maintenance of good water quality. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-99-10 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Demaine, Harvey; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Edwards, Peter;Yakupitiyage, Amararatne; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |