Community Products and Food Security Process: A Case Study of Pak Nam Community, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

This study aims to explore the current situation and trends in the use of community resources for community product production, analyze the process of building a foundation for food security through community products, and develop guidelines for building a foundation for food security from community products of Pak Nam Community, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao Province. This study included 25 key informants, who were chosen on purpose and recommended as the well-informed people by key informants. The research instruments were structured interview, semi-structured interview and focus group. The findings revealed that most of production resources were the raw materials in the community. it was also found that the chemical use had appeared in a low level because there was only one product--areca nut and betel leaf—in which the chemicals were used for its production process in order to get rid of agricultural pests and fungus. Most of community products were used for sale and consumption. For the tendency of planning for extension of food security, it was found that the product makers still had no plan for food security.  Moreover, they gained a proposal on the process of strengthening the food security basis from community products.  It consisted of 1) encouraging people’s knowledge and understanding, 2) promoting the support and corroboration from all sections, 3) declaring and enforce the laws relevant to food security process, and 4) cultivating people’s awareness and participation. Concerning the guideline in strengthening the food security from community products, it was comprised of seven ways: 1) to place highlight on food security, 2) to protect food resources in the community, 3) to scope the production and agricultural areas, 4) to register the community enterprise entrepreneur 5) to prepare strategies on food security for the locality 6) to develop the information and technology and community product database, and 7) to plan for risk management in order to cope with natural disasters. The research's conclusions may influence the creation of local government policies. and the government to establish long-term, sustainable food security.