Journal Issue: EnNRJ Vol. 9 No. 3
Issued Date
2011
Resource Type
Language
tha
eng
eng
File Type
application/pdf
Access Rights
open access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ขอสงวนไว้สำหรับเพื่อการศึกษาเท่านั้น ต้องอ้างอิงแหล่งที่มา ห้ามดัดแปลงเนื้อหา และห้ามนำไปใช้เพื่อการค้า
Rights Holder(s)
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies Mahidol University
Journal Volume
EnNRJ Volume 9
(2011)
Articles
Farmers and fertilizers: A socio-ecological exploration of the alternative agriculture movement in Northeastern Thailand
(2011-12) Kaufman, Alex; Suriyapong Watanasak; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
Despite the urgency of reducing the environmental impacts of food production, the public
and private sector continues to promote intensive agriculture methods. Studies show that input
substitution strategies have led small-scale farmers into a cycle of debt and degraded soil
fertility. In Thailand, non-governmental organizations have assisted farmers through organic
extension programs. This research examined the socio-ecological benefits of organic
production to rice farmers through a mixed methods approach. Coding and categorizing of
semi-structured interviews with 50 Northeastern Thai organic farmers’ sheds light on shared
values, perceptions, and actions towards nature. Through grounded theory I discovered the
salience of fertilizing practices as a medium of associations between farmers and nature. A
subsequent phase of structured interviews with 75 members of organic farmer groups
investigated the ways that informants improved soil fertility. Organic farmers perceived
bountiful rice and good health as externalities of nurturing the soil. By engaging in organic
fertilizer practices respondents came to see themselves as part of an extended community of life.
Data analysis reveals that participation in fertilizer groups contributes to improved health, wellbeing,
and the long-term sustainability of organic farms.
Title
EnNRJ Vol. 9 No. 3
Author's Affiliation
Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies
มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล. คณะสิ่งแวดล้อมและทรัพยากรศาสตร์
มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล. คณะสิ่งแวดล้อมและทรัพยากรศาสตร์
Keyword(s)
Climate change
Biodiversity
Disaster
Ecological
Environmental modelling
Environmental dynamics
Environmental pollution
Emerging contaminants
Transboundary pollution
Waste and wastewater treatments
Hazardous wastes
Natural resource management
Multidisciplinary sciences
Environment and Natural Resources Journal
Biodiversity
Disaster
Ecological
Environmental modelling
Environmental dynamics
Environmental pollution
Emerging contaminants
Transboundary pollution
Waste and wastewater treatments
Hazardous wastes
Natural resource management
Multidisciplinary sciences
Environment and Natural Resources Journal