Production, Processing, and Trading patterns of Organic Rice by Farmers in the Upper Northern Region of Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study the production, processing, and trading patterns of organic rice by farmers in the upper northern region of Thailand. This is qualitative research. The research area was the organic rice cultivation areas of 1,330 Rais by both single and group farmers in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Lampang, The target groups were 10 groups of organic rice producers certified for organic rice standards and model farmers certified for organic rice production, local scholars and representative organic rice farmers group, academics on organic rice who have experience in studying, researching and driving organic rice by using purposive sampling methods under the criteria and qualifications set by the researchers. There were three different kinds of research: questionnaires, observation forms, and small group discussions.  Data were collected by document research, interview, observation, and small group discussion. Data collection consisted of document research, interviews, observation, and small group discussions. The data was then analyzed, the content synthesized and descriptive reports were written. The results showed that the production patterns are (1) soil preparation (2) rice variety selection (3) rice cultivation process (4) soil maintenance (5) rice pests’ elimination (6) harvest and (7) application for certification of processing standard: (1) threshing, (2) milling, (3) packaging and (4) packaging design. Organic rice trading includes (1) Membership Market (2) General Market (3) Flea Market (4) Online Market, and (5) Niche Market

Keywords: Organic Rice Production, Organic Rice Processing, Organic Rice Trade