PRODUCTION PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF HIGHLAND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN THAILAND

摘要

Highland agriculture need to be planned towards sustainability. The objective of the study is to plan sustainable agricultural systems on highland area. Primary data were collected from Bokrai (Lahu) and Muang Pam (Karen) villages in Changwat Mae Hong Son. Farm-household survey of total 282 samples was conducted in 2003 and 2004. Costs and return were analyzed. Village and regional sustainable agricultural systems were planned by linear and multi-goal programming. The results showed that agricultural system in both villages was a subsistent farming type. The results of regional models suggested that for market oriented farming systems, the model suggests to grow upland rice and cultivate teak, lychee, peach, maize and raising cattle and swine. For the semi-market oriented farming systems, the model suggested to grow paddy rice and vegetables during dry season and raising cattle and a few swine. For the subsistence farming systems, the model suggested to grow paddy rice, sesame, soybean, maize and vegetables, avocado, mango, flowers and raising cattle and a few swine. Policy recommendation are such as supporting on diversified farming systems, enhancing knowledge on chemical pesticides impacts to environment and health, supporting integrated pest management method, supporting fellow periods and terrace farming systems for sustainability of highland agriculture.