Sericulture community enterprises and grassroots economic promotion: A case study of Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

Abstract

Sericulture community enterprises and grassroots economic promotion: A case study of Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand; Which has 3 objectives; that is, (1) to survey information and operations of the sericulture community enterprise group in Maha Sarakham Province; (2) to study the potential, wisdom, activities and operations of the Sericulture Community Enterprise and (3) to assess the income from mulberry planting and silk raising activities of the target community enterprise members, namely, Ban Bua Kaew Sericulture Community Enterprise. The instruments used in this study were surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. The target groups were the Ban Buakaew Sericulture Community Enterprise, Kut Rang District, and the Ban Hong Bua Pae Sericulture Community Enterprise, Yang Sisurat District, Maha Sarakham Province. The survey included 24 Sericulture Community Enterprises in Maha Sarakham Province and interviewed 17 members of the target Sericulture Community Enterprises.

The results of the study found that The Sericulture Community Enterprise in Maha Sarakham Province needs government agencies to support at least 6 things, namely (1) Mulberry planting, (2) Silk farming, (3) Silk reeling, (4) Natural dyeing, (5) Product processing, and (6) Marketing. This academic service project has implemented training and development activities for group members in both locations to provide them with the knowledge to be self-reliant and sell products from silk farming and silk reeling, and to generate income for group members throughout the year.