Development Approaches of Community Production of the Mae Salong Nok Sub-District, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

 This paper is qualitative research. It aims to find development approaches of community production for consumption and sale. The researchers collected primary data from farmers, handicraftsmen, hotel owners, community leaders, government agency representatives, and travelers. There were 95 participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and a participatory workshop, and analyzed by analytic induction.
Classified into three domains, the results reveal that: In the agricultural production domain, Mae Salong Nok farmers cultivated rice, corn, vegetables,
tea, coffee, and some fruits. The problems found were depleted soil, a low price
of community products, inadequate income, and immigration of youth. The suggested solutions are reducing expenses, increasing family income, and that some farmers should have a second career.
In the handicraft production domain, the production has been traditional production which resulted in low-quality handicraft products. Markets and target groups of the customers were limited. Besides, Mae Salong Nok handicraftsmen lacked knowledge for marketing, capital, and management analysis. The suggested solution is producing creative craft products from community capital that differentiate from other crafts in the normal market.
Finally, in the tourism management domain, people in the community lacked public relations skills and knowledge to advertise their products. The solution for this is to give knowledge about media production to the people in the community. The media production can promote the products and other services to tourists more easily, bringing more extra income in the community and strengthening its economic growth.