Economic Development of Self-Reliant Communities on The Basis of Organic Agriculture, Nong Khai Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the current conditions, problems and needs of self-reliant community economic development based on organic agriculture, Nong Khai Province, 2) to create a self-reliant community economic development model based on organic agriculture, Nong Khai Province, and 3) to trial and evaluate the guidelines for developing self-reliant community economy on the basis of organic agriculture, Nong Khai Province. It is a mixed research consisting of survey research, quantitative research and experimental research. Methods of conducting research were divided into 3 phases.

            The results of the research were as follows :               1) The results of a study on current conditions, problems and needs for self-reliant community economic development on the basis of organic agriculture Nong Khai Province. The sample group was representatives of farmers who carried out organic farming Nong Khai Province by using the method to determine the sample size using Taroyamane formula (1973: 727). The research consisted of a sample of 277 people, randomly stratified and simple randomly. Data were collected using a 5-level estimation questionnaire. According to the 5-way self-reliance variables, namely: 1) economic self-reliance, 2) natural resources, 3) mental health, 4) quality of life of society, and 5) technology. The statistics used to test the hypothesis were: Analysis of structural equations (SEM) by using Lisrail (LISREL) and Pearson correlation. The results of the study of general information found that gender, females accounted for 75.81% more than males, the highest age between 46-55 years, accounting for 41.16%. Education level Elementary school is the most, accounting for 57.40%. Number of family members with the highest number between 1-5 people, representing 47.65% The results of the study of the current council found that the main issues were as follows: 1) the problem of lack of economic benefits in occupation, 2) the problem of revolving losses in the management of natural resources, 3) the problem of lack of care and psychological effects, 4) the problem of Lack of quality of life in society due to occupational support, 5) Drought problems, lack of water sources, lack of use of technology in farming. The results of the need study revealed that the development of the self-reliant community economy on the basis of organic agriculture was the most successful.               2) The result of creating a self-reliant community economic development model based on organic agriculture in Nong Khai Province, it was found that the results of Phase 1 analysis included a study visit to remove lessons, Bring a form to draft and consider and approve by 20 experts, academics and researchers, Organize a workshop. The tool was a structured interview on the subject matter of the interview questions reviewed by experts. Then the issues were gathered, analyzed, interpreted, and concluded. The results of the consideration were made, resulting in a development model. There are a total of 10 activities consisting of: 1) Establishment of community enterprise groups, 2) Raising native chickens, 3) Planting safe vegetables from toxins, 4) Growing medicinal plants, 5) Arranging gardens for learning and tourism, 6) Creating awareness for self-reliance, 7) Bio-fertilizer production, 8) Organic farming, 9) Water management automation, and 10) Electronic advertising media.                3) The results of the experiment and evaluation of the guidelines for developing self-reliant community economy with organic agriculture, Nong Khai Province  was an experimental model with an experimental group of 30 people. After the experiment, there was better development of self-reliant communities based on organic agriculture than before. The results of the comparison of differences by variables. There was a statistically significant difference at the .05 level. The success results in the implementation of 5 variables: Economic self-sufficiency improved, Better natural resources better mentally, The quality of life of society has improved, and improved self-reliance in technology which is in accordance with the assumptions set.