Clarification of economic, social and technical backgrounds on continuation of subsistence rice farming during rapid economic growth in Thailand -Case study in a rain-fed paddy village in Northeast Thailand-

本研究讨论了泰国东北部一个特定的雨养水稻村的发展，在该国最近的高经济增长期。我记录了几十年来农业用地的雨水灌溉扩张，评估了20世纪80年代后的土地整理，并分析了收入变化。该研究是基于地理信息系统和社会经济分析，在四十年（1963-2005年）的跨学科实地观察的村庄。我的结论是，留在这一地区的人选择和开发的水稻生产技术不是市场，而是以生存为导向的。这些技术提供了低产量但稳定的产量和足够的大米供家庭消费。这一发展得到了农业以外收入的支持。特别是在1990年代之后，由于泰国的经济发展，在城市赚取收入的机会大大增加。人们随后将他们从非农就业机会中获得的收入投资于进一步提高水稻产量。对这一地区的人民来说，一项重要战略是，粮食安全来自自给性稻米生产，同时获得非农业部门的现金收入。它与完全面向市场的发展有着明显的不同，可以从工业社会城市周边地区可持续农业系统的角度予以积极评价。

This study discusses the development of a specific rain-fed paddy village in Northeast Thailand, during the recent high economic growth period in the country. I documents many decades of rain-fed expansion of agricultural land, evaluates land consolidation after the 1980s, and analyzes income changes. The study is based on GIS and socio-economic analyses during a period of forty years (1963-2005) of interdisciplinary field observation in the village. I conclude that people who stay in this area choose and develop technologies for rice production that are not market, but subsistence oriented. These technologies provide low, but stable production and enough rice for house hold consumption. This development is supported by off-farm income. Especially after the 1990s, opportunities to earn income in cities increased considerably, due to the economic development in Thailand. People subsequently invested the income they earned from off-farm job opportunities to improve their rice production even further. The coexistence of food security from subsistence rice production and cash income acquisition from off-farm sectors is an important strategy for people in this area. It is markedly different from a totally market oriented development, and can be evaluated positively bearing in mind a sustainable agricultural system in peri-urban areas in an industrial society.