Impacts of Sugarcane Farmland Expansion towards Food Security among Sugarcane-farming Households in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the impacts of sugarcane farmland expansion towards food security among the sugarcane-farming households in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. A quantitative methodological approach was implemented in the study. The population of the study consisted of 3,332 sugarcane-farming households in Khon Kaen Province, who were associated with the Association of Sugarcane Farmers in the central-northeastern region during the production year of 2012/13. An interview schedule was implemented for data collection in order to collect data from the 357 sample households. Data was analyzed by the proportion of households who cultivated both sugarcane and rice. Four groups of sugarcane farming households were identified, including households where the proportion between sugarcane and rice plantation was 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. The research results indicated that the impact of expanding the cultivated area on the food security of farming households in Khon Kaen province could be seen at different levels, depending on the proportion of the area for cultivation of sugarcane to rice. The sugarcane-farming households with the proportion between sugarcane and rice plantation of 25:75 had the highest food security and the sugarcane-farming households with the proportion between sugarcane and rice plantation of 100:0 had the lowest food security. The study results suggested that the relevant agencies should support adequate food production in order to meet consumption requirements within the households. Promoting agricultural areas and resource management in farmland are considered to be necessary to enhance the food security of sugarcane farmers.