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Traditional ecological knowledge in Thailand: Mechanisms and contributions to food security
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Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences
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Vol. 37 NO. 2 Page 82-87
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24523151 (ISSN)
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2016
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community-based natural resources;food acquisition;food security;traditional ecological knowledge
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Despite worldwide advances in science and technology, human well-being of the rich and poor has been threatened by food insecurity. Due to socio-economic and environmental pressures on agriculture, developing countries have faced a shortage of food access and degraded quality of food resources. We argue that traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), when appropriately used and adapted could play a significant role in addressing food security for rural, smallholder farmers. Data were collected in two rural farming communities located in the drought-prone and poverty-stricken Northeast Region of Thailand. Both were situated in diverse ecological settings: one characterized as a subsistent, lowland rice farming community and the other, the upland, all of which were dominated by cash crops. We employed a combined data collection method including in-depth interviews, participant observations, and household surveys to examine household-based food acquisition patterns. We found that the lowland subsistence farming community was endowed with a higher level of TEK and showed a stronger indication of food security than the upland cash-crop focused community. Furthermore, under environmental change, local villagers drew upon TEK to support their way of life. TEK also helped villagers to adapt to new environmental and socio-economic changes, to sustain ecosystem services and agricultural activities, and to build a secure and safe food system. This finding suggests that over-promotion of export-oriented agriculture could leave smallholder farmers and disadvantaged populations in a vulnerable situation. Their food security could be enhanced by the conservation of community-based natural resources with respect given to the role of TEK. © 2016 Kasetsart University
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[1] Phungpracha, E.
[2] Kansuntisukmongkon, K.
[3] Panya, O.
Phungpracha, E.. (2016). Traditional ecological knowledge in Thailand: Mechanisms and contributions to food security.  Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 37 (2) ,82-87
Phungpracha, E.. "Traditional ecological knowledge in Thailand: Mechanisms and contributions to food security" Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 37, 2016, 82-87.
Phungpracha, E.. (2016). Traditional ecological knowledge in Thailand: Mechanisms and contributions to food security.  Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 37 (2) ,82-87