LESSON LEARNED OF DRIVING A LOW-CARBON AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY UNDER THE CONCEPT OF NEW THEORY AGRICULTURE: CASE STUDY OF KHLONG NOI DISTRICT, MUEANG DISTRICT, SURATTHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to 1) conduct lesson learned of being a low-carbon agricultural community of Khlong Noi Community, Mueang District, Surat Thani Province; 2) suggest guidelines on driving an agricultural community to a low-carbon agricultural community. For the implementation method, this is a qualitative research conversations, interviews, recordings and observations. The samples included the learning center owner, officers from Department of Agriculture Region 7, officers from local administrative organizations, and agriculturists. The research was conducted by a survey on the area of Khlong Noi Community, along with studying agricultural patterns from the learning center by the indicators of low-carbon and sustainably community.  The achievement of the learning center was analyzed by ToC (Theory of Change) in 3 dimensions, i.e., alliance and roles related to the learning center, enabling factors, obstacles of drive, and the short-term achievement leading to success of the learning center. The findings revealed that this role-model community was originated from the establishment of the learning center to solve problems of crop price and chemical use in local agriculturists under their awareness that chemical agriculture caused environmental problems and high production cost. Until the public sector participated in resources and knowledge under the concept of participation with communities from the planning step, implementation, to follow-up of agricultural drive. Allies were expanded, and the learning center was gradually stronger until sustainability and income were created. This finally led to success in the long run for sustainable agricultural activities. The key factors of success found in driving a low-carbon agricultural community included 1) leadership and competencies of the learning center owner and 2) the roles of public alliance to support the community based on the needs of local agriculturists.