Karen New Generations and their Return to do Farming in a Highland Village of Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This article aims to study: (1) the viewpoints of Karen new generations on the highland agriculture, and (2) the conditions that made some Karen new generations return to do farming on the highland. The research data has been collected from Ban Mae Tom Bon, Omkoi district, Chiang Mai, during January 2016 and April 2017. 16 Karen new Generations, aged between 18 – 35 years old, were selected as research samplings for a general interview and the other 5 for an in-depth interview.

The research finding showed that most Karen new generations give significance to the freedom investment on their farmlands. They can apply their information technology knowledge to develop tomato growing and trading. In addition, the research finding also found that 4 conditions made the samplings return to do farming: the tiresomeness of life and problems in city, the relationship of Karen kinship, the opportunities to make a greater profit from tomato growing, and the other supports.