The Challenges for Communities of Practice among Fruit Orchard Farmers in the Mae Klong River Basin

Abstract

Fruit orchard farming communities in the Mae Klong River Basin have faced the
expansion of capitalism and industrialization around them, as well as government infrastructure
development policies that have put pressure on them. However, these communities have continued
to exist into the present. This implies that these fruit orchard farming communities may have some
special characteristics that help them cope with change. Using a qualitative approach interview key
informants, case studies and household survey, we found that the fruit orchard communities of
practice in this study had accumulated and passed on their farming knowledge to each other,
leading to the persistence of fruit orchard farming. The fruit orchard communities of practice,
however, continually face new challenges inside their communities, as well as pressure from
outside. They have learned about the situations that affect their communities and have established
networks to work with other groups in society to empower themselves in negotiating with the
changes that affect their livelihoods and local resources.