Eucalyptus plantation in Thailand under the support of JICA : its impact on the rural economy and society in Central Northeast

Abstract

This thesis is designed to study the underlying reasons for the eucalyptus plantation project an dits implementation in the northeastern part of Thailand from 1992 to the present. The research covers the introduction of eucalyptus as a highly promising economic plant to the Thai society, and its effects upon both ecology and economy. This is followed by analysis of the factors which motivate local farmers to adopt eucalyptus plantations as well as the role of three main agencies in increasing the number of eucalyptus plantations in the northeastern region. Major findings are : 1. Eucalyptus plantations are highly profitable in the short-run. However, in the long-run, they are not always profitable, and problems may occur. 2. The principal factors which motivate local farmers to adopt eucalyptus plantations are their higher profitability in the short-run, a drop in cassava prices, a rise in wage rates and labour shortages in the agricultural sector following "development" in Thailand. 3. Two main impacts which eucalyptus plantations bring to the Thai society are the diminution of agricultural activities in the northeastern rural societies, and further labour migration from the agricultural sector to the industrial and service sectors.