Value Chain Development for Small-Scale Farmers in the Upper Region of Northern Thailand: A Case Study of Baan Pameang, Mueang Pan, Lampang Province

Abstract

The purposes of the study under the project on value chain development for small-scale farmers aimed to (1) examine a value chain of coffee plantation and production and to (2) study the ecosystem of the coffee management and the community. The study used participatory action research (PAR) to collect data. A purposive sampling technique was used to select coffee farmers from 120 households in Baan Pameang and an in-depth interview was used as a research tool.

The results were as follows. The value chains of coffee plantation consisted of upstream, midstream, and downstream processes in which coffee cherries and coffee parchment were sold through middle men. A community enterprise was founded to produce and sell coffee products to tourists visiting the area or staying at the community’s homestays. With regard to the ecosystem, the study found that the ecological environments of coffee plantations connected to community forests were well-managed by the community resulting in natural process coffee. The preservation and conservation of forests, soils and water increased an awareness of villagers on adhering to village rules and on producing environmentally friendly coffee and protecting ecological environment. The end result of these attempts was the ethical and sustainable coffee that meets an increasing demand of consumers for environmentally friendly coffee.