The Policy Implementation of Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS 6901-2017) with Good Agricultural Practices for Broiler Farm : A Case Study of the Office of Regional Livestock 1

Abstract

          This research aimed 1) to study the policy implementation of the Thai Agricultural Product Standard (TAS 6901-2017: Good agricultural practices for broiler farms), including problems and obstacles; and 2) to investigate factors affecting success in the implementing policy in the area of the Office of Regional Livestock 1. This qualitative study was based on a document review and in-depth interviews with 84 key informants from the Office of Regional Livestock 1, provincial livestock office, district livestock office, auditor, provincial agricultural extension office, district agricultural extension office, local administrative organization, farm veterinarian, animal husbandry, broiler farmers in the Office of Regional Livestock 1, and associations for broiler. The data were analyzed using data validation, categorization, and issue comparison with the conceptual frameworks and theories for the study, which were the frameworks of Van Meter and Van Horn, Mazmanian and Sabatier, and George C. Edwards.

            The results showed the Thai agricultural product standard policy (TAS 6901-2017) was not implemented on a compulsory basis; but it was on a voluntary one. The implementation of this policy focused on the provided training for broiler farmers who were interested in applying for farm certification so that they could use their knowledge to improve and develop the farm for confronting the relevant requirements. After applying for farm, the standard certification has improved and developed their farm according to the requirements and submitted a request for farm standard certification. The Department of Livestock by the responsible agencies assessed and certified the farm standards. The key actors in this policy were the Department of Livestock Development and its agencies, i.e., the Office of Regional Livestock, the Provincial Livestock Office, and the District Livestock Office, including the policy target group, namely, broiler farmers. By the time of the policy's implementation, broiler farmers had to encounter high costs and expenses to manage and develop their farms complying with the policy's requirements. Furthermore, no budget was allocated to help the farm and to improve the requirements or support in other areas which could reduce the burden of farmers’ expenses. The making broiler farmers who have produced broiler chickens to sell and export chicken processing factories, contract farms, and companies operating broiler farms, had more a proportion of standard farm certification than broiler farmers who sold domestically broiler chickens and general broiler farmers. The research found one of factors affecting the success of implementing policy on Thai Agricultural Products Standards was the policy characteristics and attitudes of the target group, followed by political factors with relating to international trade. The important factors supporting the success of the policy's implementation were budget, personnel, characteristics of the implementing agencies, and organizational communication. The study's key finding also showed the successful implement on agricultural product standard policy, the private sectors. The government organizations should work together for an alliance relationship fostering mutual benefits.