LOCAL WISDOM IN PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY: A CASE STUDY OF PGA K'NYAU COMMUNITY IN CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This article aims 1) To study local wisdom, food security, and food sovereignty issues, 2) To analyze the potential of wisdom in promoting food security and sovereignty, and 3) To examine the effects of occupational promotion preserving local wisdom on food security and sovereignty of the Pga K'Nyau community in Chiang Mai province. This research uses a mixed-method approach, integrating qualitative and participatory research, with purposively selected 53 key informants and 113 samples. The data collection tools were in-depth interviews, focus group discussion questions, and participatory observation records. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The research found that 1) The Pga K'Nyau community has seven remarkable local pearls of wisdom consisting of crop rotation and land management, seed preservation, forest utilization and conservation, food exchange and sharing, cooking knowledge sharing, food processing, and herbal application. 2) The local wisdom potentially plays a role in food security promotion and sovereignty for the Pga K'Nyau community. and 3) The career promotion results, including vetiver grass planting, animal husbandry, and processing of local plant products by integrating local wisdom, promoted food security and sovereignty, leading to sustainable development for the Pga K'Nyau community. In addition, the research indicates that the participation of the Pga K'Nyau community is an essential factor that helps the conservation and inheritance of local wisdom to be successful and sustainable.