Enhancing the Learning Process for Farmer Development Based on the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy: The “One Subdistrict, One New Theory Agriculture Group” Project in Nong Khae District, Saraburi Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) examine farmers’ self-directed learning processes concerning New Theory Agriculture and the support provided by relevant agencies under the One Subdistrict, One New Theory Agriculture Group Project; 2) investigate approaches to strengthening the learning process of participating farmers; and 3) examine the outcomes of the enhanced learning process for farmers’ economic self-reliance in Nong Khae District, Saraburi Province. This study employed a participatory action research approach involving 15 informants. Data were collected through observations, interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and study visits and analyzed using content analysis.

The findings revealed that the farmers practiced agriculture based primarily on their own understanding and knowledge inherited from their parents. However, they lacked adequate knowledge of New Theory Agriculture and faced rising production costs. Support was provided by several government agencies, including the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Land Development Department, the Department of Livestock Development, and the Office of Agricultural Economics.

The approach used to strengthen the farmers’ learning process comprised five stages: 1) bringing people together to build collective motivation and select 10 participating farmers; 2) thinking together through focus group discussions and analyses of problems and possible solutions; 3) acting together through workshops, study visits, and the practical application of New Theory Agriculture in water-resource, rice-growing, crop-growing, and residential and livestock areas; 4) jointly reflecting on lessons learned through individual and group evaluations; and 5) sharing the benefits of collective action to continue the royal initiative, strengthen food security, and develop a supportive network.

The enhanced learning process enabled farmers to reduce household expenses by using vegetable waste as fish feed, growing sunn hemp as green manure, applying animal manure to rice fields, producing various fertilizers, cultivating crops for household consumption, and consuming livestock raised within their households. The farmers also increased their income by selling fish, rice, salad vegetables, Kaew Kamin mangoes, Kimju guavas, frogs, chicken eggs, and duck eggs.