PROMOTING ORGANIC FARMING FOR FARMERS' EMPOWERMENT: THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN SOUTH KOREA AND THAILAND

Abstract

In the upsurge of international food crisis, intensifying environmental hazards, and protracting setback of agricultural industry, organic farming emerged as an alternative to the shortcomings of conventional farming. Increasing awareness of food security and well-being has stimulated the growth of organic agriculture in the international community, and various studies have corroborated the widely held belief that organic agriculture bears more economic benefits and empowerment to the farmers. Although Thailand has been a pioneer in instigating organic efforts in Southeast Asia, absence of a stable guiding system and effective governance has left the organic agriculture at an infant stage despite rich resources in vast arable land. Among different key actors that constitute the organic network, the research will focus on the role of government as a guiding and supporting entity that supports the promotion of organic agriculture in technology, seed money, education, as well as establishing and governing a stable organic development system for the farmers is crucial to develop the infant organic industry. In light of this, this research will take extensive investigation into the role of government in systemizing and providing workable institutional support for promotion of organic agriculture in Thailand, through assessment of South Korea’s organic promotional policies and a case study on a village that has developed through government assistance. Through comparisons, the research will conclude with a discussion of what kind of policies can be applied from the South Korean model, and suggest policy recommendations for further improvements.