Proceedings of the UNESCO - University of Tsukuba International Seminar on Traditional Technology for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Asian-Pacific Region, held in Tsukuba Science City, Japan, 11-14 December, 1995.
Editors: Kozo Ishizuka, D. Sc. , Shigeru Hisajima, D. Sc. , Darryl R.J. Macer, Ph.D.
First of all, the economic growth in Thailand led to the rapid increase of people's income and the food demand has been diversified. Consequently, farmer's income sources have also diversified from cereals to fisheries products, fruits and vegetables, and livestock. Export orientated agriculture was changed from rice and rubber, to high value products which have there advantages of product quality in the international market.
Second, these high value products stimulate the growth of agro-industry in which raw materials are utilized. The type of industrialization based not on heavy industry but on agro-industry in Thai economy is very interesting as the NAIC type, namely Newly Agro-Industrializing Countries.
Third, toward this industrialization, the foreign direct investment from japan and the NIEs contributed to the development of the Thai economy.
Therefore, I would like to mention some of my ideas from case research on the development of shrimp culture industry in Thailand, co-working with Ms. Opal Suwunnamek, a graduate student at the University of Tsukuba, focusing on the driving factors of sustainable development in this industry, concerning the environmental conservation and in particular of mangrove forests.
First of all. the driving forces of shrimp development comprise:
1. international trade and development policies like NESDP
2. foreign direct investment by agribusiness corporations such as multinational corporations
3. farmer's organization of cooperatives as a community-based organization
4. changing farmer's roles as commodity producers
Second, however, the rapid increase of shrimp culture causes the deterioration of mangrove forests in Thailand. In these days, the conservation issue of coastal environment and particularly mangrove forests is given more importance. Third, as for the Kanchanadit fishery cooperative, Surat thani, cooperative members recognized the importance of environmental conservation. And. various kinds of conservation projects and new culture systems which are more in harmony with the environment have been promised.
And finally, to assist such cooperation as well as to sustain this industry, the structural; adjustment of the above four factors is crucially required. The harmonization of international trade and environmental policies can help the country overcome obstacles and constraints for high quality and sustainable development in the long run.
In conclusion, the recognition of a market mechanism under state administration and state coordination can make sustainable development consistent with the changing traditional society.