Social Capital in Community Organizing for Land Protection and Food Security

TitleSocial Capital in Community Organizing for Land Protection and Food Security
Annotated RecordNot Annotated
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsCheevapattananuwong P, Baldwin C, Lathouras A, Ike N
Secondary TitleLand
Volume9
Issue3
Pagination1-19
Key themesCivilSociety-Donors, Conversion-FoodSecurity, FDI
Abstract

Since 2016, the Thai Government has pursued a twenty-year national economic growth policy, Thailand 4.0, promoting innovation and stimulating international investment through the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project. The EEC project involves significant land acquisition resulting in the need to relocate villagers with potential impact on food security in a major food production area. This research explored the concerns of a local farming community regarding the potential loss of their farmland and means of livelihood under the EEC project using a case study in Ban Pho District of Chachoengsao (CCS) province. It described their resulting action to protect their farmland using community organizing. Data was collected through documents, observation and semi-structured interviews of key stakeholders. The results demonstrate the role of social capital in community organizing. We contend that high social capital stock is a necessary precursor to create conditions for community members to take steps to defend and protect their interests. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of social capital in community organizing in cases involving natural resource management.

URLhttps://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/3/69
Availability

Available for download

Countries

Thailand

Document Type

Journal Article