Livelihood Adaptation following the Social Enterprise Approach among Agriculture-Based Occupational Groups in Chiangrai Province

Abstract

This research article has the following objectives: 1) to investigate livelihood strategies and adaptations following the social enterprise approach among agricultural-based occupational groups in Chiangrai Province; 2) to study the development movement process of agricultural-based occupational groups towards social enterprise; and 3) to analyze results of the development movement of agricultural-based occupational groups towards social enterprise. The research operation was in line with the qualitative research methodology. Samples used were 3 agricultural-based occupational groups located in rural communities in Chiangrai Province. Data collection was conducted by means of in-depth interview with 36 key informants together with participant observation.

Research results revealed as follows. 1) Members of 3 selected communities involved primarily in agricultural activities to earn their livings and faced with vulnerabilities concerning water shortage for farming, and problems from employment termination and low price of agricultural products. Therefore, they attempted to adapt their livelihood strategies by forming agricultural-based occupational groups. 2) Development movement of agricultural-based occupational groups appeared in form of bringing livelihood assets to produce goods and improve their quality through entrepreneurial management aiming at solving livelihood problems and reducing vulnerabilities. 3) Results of this development movement appeared in helping to improve livelihoods of community members by raising their income and wellbeing as well as reducing vulnerabilities corresponding to the contexts of local communities.