SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis has examined how a capable farmers’ organisation improves farmers’ livelihoods. Three cases of Thai rice farmers’ organisations were purposefully selected, representing different farmers’ organisation models that are producer driven, buyer-driven and facilitator-driven models. The rice value chain framework used in this thesis emphasised three key analytical aspects. These were i) value chain governance and organisational model; ii) upgrading; and iii) distributional outcomes. This enables the analysis to narrow down to which direction the farmers’ organisations would most likely achieve livelihood improvement. It is evident from the study of the three cases that a farmers’ organisation is a means to improve members’ livelihoods through leveraging power and resulting in value chain upgrading. By meaning improved livelihood, the focus was on how capacity building enhancement and post-harvest infrastructure resulted in improvements in income, farm productivity, access to capitals, and market participation. An organisational model arrangement directly impacts value chain governance, the ability to upgrade, and the efficiency of distributional outcomes. All these lead to rice value chain development. Findings have identified the pattern observed from the three farmers’ organisations as a process to increase capability. The pattern involves the precursor factors that lay the foundation for the determinants of organisational development. These precursor factors are commitment and trust, organisational models and behaviours, shared value, and capacity development and resource mobilisation. Consequently, the process and outcomes of a capable farmers’ organisation influenced by such precursors are organisational routines, repositioning farmers in the value chain, the reconfiguration of value chain finance, and value chain upgrading. The significance of each factor may vary, but the firm foundation depends on the combination of precursors and processes. The results highlight policy recommendations that can offer a path towards sustainable livelihoods for farmers.