Culture of Production and Change of Local Rice varieties in Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

          This purpose of this research was to (1) study the culture of local rice varieties production and (2) create a database of economy, society, culture and local wisdom in Chanthaburi Province, three areas: foothill, plain and seaside. The qualitative research method was as follows: 1) selecting qualitative samples, that are different in the context of culture, economy, and local wisdom, 2) in-depth interviews 10 farmers, 3) participant observation. The results of the research were found that the culture of production and transformation of local rice varieties in the past in three areas had similar main characteristics, namely human and animal labor, production for household consumption with surplus for sale under local wisdom. Now, the production power has been changed from animal labor to machines and continues to produce for sustenance with surplus for sale. The different parts were:
1) foothill of the Chong ethnic group, grows highland rice once a year and continues to maintain original production and collaborate to make organic rice, 2) plain, grows lowland rice a few times a year with growing reeds to weave for sale and 3) seaside, grows lowland a few times a year. The community and Nong Chim Subdistrict Administrative Organization collaborate the restoration of local rice varieties for agricultural tourism.