Small farmer perspective on development : village survey in northeast Thailand -- synthesis report

This report summarizes the opinions of villagers in the Weeping Plains area of Northeast Thailand on the effects of donors efforts over the past 20 years. Both group interviews and in-depth individual interviews were conducted, focusing on the major categories of A.I.D. assistance: fertilizer, seed, and agricultual credit. A contextual background study was conducted as well. Major findings included the following. (1) Physical infrastructure improvements were by far the most highly valued changes affecting the villagers' lives. This finding is especially noteworthy in light of A.I.D.'s withdrawal from such activities over the past two decades. (2) Government policy regarding rice prices has affected all agricultural activities, tending to inhibit adoption of high-yielding varieties dsepite efforts by A.I.D. and other donors to promote them. (3) Exogenous economic influences, such as the boom in cassava production, and migration to temporary employment elsewhere have been the source of most of the conspicuous wealth (e.g., automobiles and televisions) among villagers. (4) A.I.D.'s and other donors' agricultural service projects are generally well regarded, with credit programs receiving the highest marks. (5) Thai farmers are not passive recipients of development assistance. Far from having to break down resistance to change, donors need to make their interventions competitive in the marketplace of available options.