“Pun Sook Rice Bun” Community Welfare for Impoverished Households in Baan Nong Thap Ma of Senangkhanikhom Subdistrict, Amnat Charoen Province

Abstract

In 2021, Ban Nong Thap Ma, Village No. 11, Senangkhanikhom Subdistrict, Senangkhanikhom District, Amnat Charoen Province, Thailand, comprised 39 impoverished households, primarily consisting of vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and children. Challenges arose due to insufficient rice farming land for sustenance. To address this, the community established a rice bank, allowing residents to borrow and return rice. However, this operation faced difficulties during droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to its suspension. This study aims to combat household and community poverty by engaging stakeholders from various sectors. The focus is on transforming the rice bank into a community enterprise partner to tackle the Pan Suk Rice Bun issue. The process involves facilitating discussions to address poverty-related challenges, formulating guidelines for the Pan Suk Rice Bun, encouraging partner involvement and knowledge exchange, fostering career opportunities, and investing in community enterprises. Additionally, measures are implemented to ensure year-round rice availability, promote self-assessment for sustainable development, and achieve stability in the Khao Pan Suk Merit Fund operations. Between 2021 and 2023, the initiative benefited 30 impoverished and vulnerable households, providing annual rice allocations worth a minimum of 7,200 Baht (around 200 USD) through community enterprise partnerships. The Pan Suk Rice Fund continues to enhance community welfare by distributing dividends of at least 1,000 Baht (around 28 USD) annually to bolster capital in community enterprise partnerships and ensure equitable rice sharing. Furthermore, the results have led to the establishment of the Senangkhanikhom Subdistrict Rice Pansuk Fund, extending rice welfare assistance to poor households at the subdistrict level.