ความเปลี่ยนแปลงทางเศรษฐกิจจากการลงทุนล้งลำไยของชาวจีนในจังหวัดลำพูน

Abstract

This study aimed to study the economic situation from the longan investment from Chinese investors in Lamphun Province. The research concerns impact farmers in Lamphun Province, where Chinese investors have entered the longan market. The research is based on collecting data from the document and online media and interviewing the longan farmers. It found that the economic condition of longan trade during the season had a significant oversupply of longan production. The longan trading system was controlled by Chinese investors, causing farmers to sell longan produce at a low price. The longan farmers are limited in finding markets to sell longan, making them have to sell longan at a low price. The farmers have to face a high cost of longan plantation with a little profit or loss and eventually stopped making longan plantations. The research found that most longan farmers have not yet adjusted their way of business but still selling longan produce to Chinese investors, with the selling price in line with the market mechanism set by a group of Chinese traders. The farmers adjust their plantation to more off-season longan plantations, although the production cost is higher than the in- season production. Longan farmers changed their way of businesses following the economic development and trade in the longan area in Lamphun province by participating in projects with the government following the government policy. The government issued the policy of establishing a group of longan farmers to produce large plots of 50 members or more. The policy was to help negotiate sales prices with Chinese investors and encourage farmers to have joint management to reduce costs or increase production. The policy encouraged the private sector to promote marketing, research and development of agricultural innovations that result in more stable farmers' incomes.