SEP strategy for survival of the rice farming careers of small farming households in the upper Northern region of Thailand

Abstract

Recognizing on the sustainability of farmers' livelihoods requires a proper livelihood asset management strategy. Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) can serve as an effective strategy for ensuring the sustainability of the rice farming career. The findings indicated that two Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)-based strategies which one involved immunization and the middle path principle, especially increased the likelihood of a farming household to remain in the rice farming career. Furthermore, the non-strategic factors were significantly and positive affected on career continuation which were presented an heir to inherit the family farming occupation, good social surroundings, strong community organization, culture of mutual help, and sharing which provided incentives for farming households to maintain their rice farming careers. However, the increased in age of the head of household had a slightly negative effect of the rice farming occupation.