The Guidelines for Community Economic Development for Sustainable Self-Reliance Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

This research article aims to study 1) The context and current conditions in developing the community economy for sustainable self-reliance 2) The problems and needs in developing the community economy for sustainable self-reliance; and 3) The development guidelines for the community economy for sustainable self-reliance in Uthai Thani Province. This research is a qualitative study. Data were collected from 20 key informants, consisting of 5 members of the Uthai Thani Provincial Agricultural and Cooperative Development Committee, and 15 representatives from all 8 districts of the province. The key informants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were gathered from documents and in-depth interviews. The data analysis was conducted using inductive content analysis.

The results revealed that the context of the community economy in Uthai Thani Province focuses on the development of safe agriculture, eco-tourism, and the enhancement of the community economy to achieve sustainability and the happiness of the people in the province. The provincial development framework aims toward sustainable development. The problems and needs in developing the community economy for sustainable self-reliance were found as follows 1) Problems in planning 2) Problems in organizational management 3) Problems and needs in leadership 4) Problems in control 5) Problems in participation. The development guidelines for the community economy for sustainable self-reliance in Uthai Thani Province are as follows 1) Planning planning in collaboration with the community, developing accurate and sufficient information, and aligning plans with the community context 2) Organizational management developing financial management and budgeting, developing knowledge and training, and finding marketing channels 3) Leadership developing vision and management ability, building networks, and adapting and applying technology 4) Control developing effective monitoring and evaluation systems, enforcing rules and work standards 5) Participation raising public awareness and interest, promoting participation, and developing effective communication mechanisms.