Solving Poverty through the Bamboo-Based Economic Recovery for Sustainable Livelihood Poverty Alleviation Model in Tha Li District, Loei Province
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Abstract
The poverty-stricken households in Tha Li District, Loei Province of Thailand, comprising 112 families, heavily rely on bamboo-related endeavors, earning an average annual income around 1017 USD. These households face several challenges, including unregulated bamboo production, substandard bamboo processing methods, absence of standardized packaging, fragmented sales channels, and outdated bamboo wicker products. To address these challenges, the study introduced a model called "Revitalizing the Economy and Enhancing Livelihoods with Bamboo." This model encompasses three sub-models: the Bamboo Shoot Model, Charcoal Model, and Bamboo Wicker Product Model, aimed at catalyzing sustainable livelihoods. The initiatives involve: 1. Implementing improved bamboo cultivation techniques across individual and centrally managed plantations to ensure year-round production. 2. Diversifying bamboo and bamboo shoot products by introducing canned, pickled, and dried bamboo shoots, thereby augmenting their value. 3. Incorporating technological advancements to refine production processes. 4. Ensuring stable market support for the products. 5. Establishing community cooperative enterprises to enhance collective bargaining. 6. Modernizing bamboo wicker products and boosting their market value. 7. Developing high-value bamboo-based products to elevate income levels.
The outcomes have been transformative, resulting in significant profit increases across various product lines: Steamed bamboo shoots saw a 222% profit increase; pickled bamboo shoots achieved a 69% profit increase; dried bamboo shoots recorded a remarkable 657% profit surge; bamboo wicker products surged by 375% in profits; transition to activated carbon from cashew charcoal production yielded a 29% profit hike, while transitioning from traditional bamboo forest maintenance to advanced plantation management and irrigation systems led to a substantial 36% profit rise. This model has offered a sustainable pathway toward socio-economic upliftment for the impoverished households.
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