Management of poverty reduction project in the view of agriculturists: case study north east of Thailand

Abstract

“Poverty Reduction Project” was set up in 2003 in order to alleviate poverty in Thailand within 5 years (ended in 2008). The Ministry of Finance assigned the project’s mission to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives. The bank set up the Center for Administration of Poverty to be a main responsible organization of the project. This research aims to (1) to assess performance of the Center for Administration of Poverty in improving capacity and quality of life of the registered agriculturists; and (2) to suggest project management strategies for similar project in the future. The research reviewed the project documents and reports, and interviewed selected agriculturists from four provinces using constructed questionnaires. Focus group interviewing was also conducted with selected agriculturists and their community leaders from the same provinces. 

The research found that most of the agriculturists agreed that the project could solve and improve the debt problem; and enhance strenuous community. However, there were some problems in project management process, for examples: unclear objectives and procedure, and lack of continu- ous evaluation and monitoring. These project experiences could be a case study for similar project in the future.