The collaboration network among the business sector, government, and community in developing a circular economy innovation to promote career opportunities and income generation for the community enterprise of local quality coffee producer farmers in Mae Chai District, Phayao Province

Abstract

This study examines the process of building an innovative circular economy network among the business sector (coffee roasting factories), the government, and the community (young farmers) to promote income generation for community enterprises of quality coffee producers in the highland areas of Phayao Province. A qualitative research approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 50 stakeholders, along with data triangulation for validation. The collected data were then interpreted, analyzed, and eloquently described. The findings reveal that the collaborative network between business organizations, the government, and the community forms a production chain that fosters a high-quality and sustainable circular economy system. In the upstream stage, young farmers are encouraged to develop innovative cultivation and processing techniques to create a distinctive identity known as "Phayao Quality Coffee." At the midstream stage, coffee roasting factories serve as central hubs for purchasing, value-added processing, and comprehensive product development. In the downstream stage, government agencies provide knowledge support, regulate standards, and facilitate integrated services. This collaborative model not only creates stable occupations and incomes for the community but also elevates the quality of local coffee, strengthens the circular economy, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)