The Creation of Communication in the Community to Implement the Environmental Rehabilitation Strategy from Use Chemicals for Agriculture in Loei Province

Abstract

Research "Creating communication in the community to implement environmental rehabilitation strategies from the use of chemicals for agriculture in Loei Province was a specific study in the area where agricultural chemicals were used in 3 areas : upstream in Amphoe Phu Luang , Midstream in Amphoe Wang Saphung and Downstream in Amphoe Chiang Khan District. This research has used the methodology of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Data were collected in both quantitative from survey 1,300 people and quality data using observation tools, participatory brainstorming sessions, interviews, and activities and group discussion by collecting information from representatives of the 6 communities in the village, approximately 80 people. The research results are divided into 4 issues according to the research objectives as follows; 1. Pattern of communication in strong and effective communities in Loei Province that can be used to campaign for environmental rehabilitation from the use of chemicals for agriculture, found that in weak communities must use interpersonal communication mainly because it was more effective than using other media in the community. 2. Guidelines for the creation and development of a form of communication in the community in order to implement the strategy for environmental restoration from the use of chemicals for agriculture, must create participation in the formulation of strategic plans and community master plans for define the paths and targets. 3. The way for creating and developing communication styles in the community that are communication strategies to restore the environment from the use of chemicals for agriculture and obtained a new finding was a working plan of 2 models. First was a splitting roots strategy model for the interested small groups level. Second was the network communication strategy model for the community department level. 4. Creating a network of communication in suitable communities must create a network where community leaders and villagers help to prepare beforehand, such as resurrecting co-operation between community people. In addition, it was found that if it was a specific case which leaders of community lack of strength and also community was still weak, the people in community can be self-reliant by developing “Bottom-up approaches” and then forwarding some ideas to leaders of thought in community. This is more likely to be successful than a “Top down approach”, because in weak communities, there is often no lead from weak community leaders. Therefore, the role of community leadership depends on “natural leaders” not “official position leader”