Innovation and intensification in Northeastern Thailand: Brookfield applied.

Abstract

Applies the ideas contained in Brookfield's two investigations into agricultural innovation and intensification (Pacific Viewpoint 13:30-48 & 25:15-44) to a study conducted in a pair of farming communities in the Northeastern region of Thailand. It is demonstrated that although population pressure was a force for change there were numerous other barriers and stimuli influencing farmers. The integration of the villages into the market economy of the country had created an ever-widening demand for goods and services and this was also exerting considerable pressure on the inhabitants to increase production. But, the most obvious means of raising output, through the application of the technology of the Green Revolution to rice production, was severely limited by the constraining influence of the physical environment. In addition to wet-rice, farmers also cultivated 'upland' cash crops, but even here the possibility of increasing output was limited. It is shown that innovation was rarely cost-free and the inhabitants not only had to have the incentive to innovate, but also the opportunity. Due to the reluctance of farmers to innovate and/or intensify within agriculture, many were looking to non-agricultural activities as an alternative means of generating income. -Author