ความอยู่รอดของเศรษฐกิจชุมชนภายใต้กระแสโลกาภิวัฒน์: กรณีศึกษากลุ่มใบตองคลองกระจง อำเภอสวรรคโลก จังหวัดสุโขทัย

Abstract

The study of Survival of Community Economy in Globalization: A Case Study of Baitong KlongKrajong Group, Sawankhaloke District, Sukhothai Province aims to study the general conditions of Baitong KlongKrajong Group’s members and also their group establishment. The main focus of this research is to study their systems of organization, activities management as well as problems and obstacles concerning the effects from Globalization. The research is a qualitative study in which the tools are questionnaires and interviews that were given to 70 people including the members of Baitong KlongKrajong Group as well as the farmers who grow banana leaves.

From the study, it shows that the majority of people who grow banana trees are married female farmers aged around 51 years old and older. Most of them finished school at primary school level and have been earning a living by being farmers. When looking at their family, it is found that the majority of each family consists5 family members in which each has owned the land for their cultivation up to 2-4 acres in average, almost around 2 acres are used to grow banana trees. The average expense per month for grow banana trees is around 1,000 baht in which they can harvest the leaves around 8 times a month, 100 kgs. in each time. In term of pricing, the leaves are sold at variable pricing depending on each season. However, despite having the savings in majority, but many groups have to go through the debts as well.

In establishing banana leaves group, it is found that the majority of members in the Baitong KlongKrajong group also established the agricultural cooperative of KlongKrajong district. Most of them used to be members of this cooperative.

Moreover, the majority of the group members agree that the cooperative holds on to the concept of Sufficiency Economy proposed by the King.

In term of management, it is also found that the majority of the group members participates in deciding the directions they will go to for every activity they have. One good thing they all agree of establishing this group is that they can propose the higher price in selling banana leaves but it still depends on the season.

The study shows the group’s problems and obstacles that when it comes to dry season, there is no product to be harvested. Apart from that, one big problem is the inequality income. Each member earns differently, causing the unsatisfactory among the group members. The public sector never gives a hand to help guarantee the quality of the plant or find the way to solve the problem of the agricultural pests, causing certain damages to the products in which it affects the selling price in each season.

For the additional suggestions, the farmers want the selling price to be increased and they also want to export the banana leaves more than they can do now. In management, they want the group to rethink and redo the whole system of management in order to create the stability and harmony in their group