RESOURCE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS FOR A SCHOOL GARDEN DEVELOPMENT OF BANHUAYBONG SCHOOL IN CHAIPRAKAN DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the resource potential for a school garden development of Banhuaybong School in Chaiprakan district, Chiang Mai province. This qualitative study employed Participatory Action Research (PAR), field note, semi-structured interview, and participant observation as research tools to collect the relevant data from 85 key informants with purposive sampling method and summarized the result using content analysis. The result of the analysis, under the geosocial based development study and permaculture design concept, indicated that Banhuaybong School was surrounded by abundance geographic and socioeconomic resources with highly agricultural skilled community. However, teacher shortage and a lack of school personnel with knowledge and skills in agriculture were limitation to the school garden maintenance. The analysis led to an insightful understanding of the advantages and limitations of the resources. As a result, local officials in Chaiprakan district and organizations in Chiang Mai province acknowledged the potential of the school and community and provided supports as well as participated in the school garden development by sponsoring and organizing activities in order that the school and community can advance toward food security and zero hunger goals of the United Nations.