Role of Livelihood Capital in Shaping the Farming Strategies and Outcomes of Smallholder Rubber Producers in Southern Thailand

This paper assesses the role of livelihood capital in shaping farming strategies and determining farming outcomes for smallholder rubber producers in southern Thailand. The authors find a positive relationship between the access level of livelihood capital and levels of diversification. The diversif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Outlook on agriculture 2012-06, Vol.41 (2), p.117-124
Main Authors: Longpichai, Onanong, Perret, Sylvain Roger, Shivakoti, Ganesh Prasad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural capital
Data envelopment analysis
Diversification
Employment
Farm income
Farming
Farming systems
Production
Rubber industry
Thailand
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Summary:This paper assesses the role of livelihood capital in shaping farming strategies and determining farming outcomes for smallholder rubber producers in southern Thailand. The authors find a positive relationship between the access level of livelihood capital and levels of diversification. The diversification and integration of rubber-based farming systems result in higher production and farm income. Specialization in rubber monoculture derives from an overall low endowment of livelihood capital, which generates poor farming outcomes. The paper assesses the relative efficiency of farms' ability to maximize income and production using data envelopment analysis. Diversified, integrated rubber farming systems confirm higher techno-economic efficiency scores, thus supporting the need for further policy and support measures. Diversification and crop integration should be supported as a pathway for sustaining farmers' livelihood.
ISSN:0030-7270
2043-6866
DOI:10.5367/oa.2012.0085