การแก้ไขปัญหาความยากจนแบบเบ็ดเสร็จและแม่นยำในจังหวัดสกลนคร

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Abstract

The project of Complete and Precise Poverty Problem Solving in Sakon Nakhon Province, Phase 2 aims

(1) to develop systems and mechanisms of data collection and verification of poor people
(2) to develop systems and mechanisms of analyzing data and delivering information to government agencies for further operations
(3) to develop a model of complete and precise poverty problem solving and
(4) to develop systems of policy development or building connections for policy development of poverty eradication at a local/ provincial level.

This is a mix-method research study; quantitative study and participatory action research (PAR), in which the communities are involved in data verification, process design, learning by doing, and policy development for complete poverty eradication in their families and community. The process purposed to connect with the Personalize Poverty Alleviation (PPA) platform of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The research areas covered 6 districts in Sakon Nakhon province, namely, Kut Bak, Tao Ngoi, Song Dao, Phon Na Kaeo, Akat Amnuai and Muang Sakon Nakhon.

The samples in this study included as follows:

1. The households with a survey of basic minimum need information (BMN), the households whose family members registered for state welfare of the Ministry of Finance, and the households needed help, selected by community leaders to receive state welfare. Then the information was delivered to the Social Development and Human Security Office, Sakon Nakhon Province for further help. The Social Security Office later collected data from 1,292 households with a questionnaire survey on 5-livelihood capitals.
2. 122 households located in Kut Bak district, using purposive sampling, which Kut Bak Model, a complete and precise poverty problem solving model, was implemented in the area.
The research instruments included
(1) community tools such as family genogram and district condition reports
(2) problem-solving tools such as Post-it notes, voting
(3) verification tools such as BMC, checklist
(4) implement tools such as web diagrams, I like, I wish, I wonder
(5) analysis tools such as SLF PPPCONNEXT and
(6) evaluation tools such as income assessment form, questionnaires and interview forms. In 2021, several tasks were completed, starting from data audit implementation, information delivery for further help and traceability, development of a complete and precise poverty eradication model, proposed policy development for area-based approach. In fact, there were two main parts in this study; first, completing household livelihoods survey of the year 2020 and completing missing information from community leaders’ surveys in 6 districts. Second, solving poverty problems completely and precisely with innovative products and process based on Kut Bak Model in Kut Bak district, Sakon Nakhon province.

The results were shown as follows:

1. From the survey on 5-livelihood capitals in 2020 and 2021, the collected data of 10,543 households in Sakon Nakhon province revealed that human capital is the most significant capital. Earning income requires good health, knowledge and skills. Since the majority of the households mostly finished their education at the primary level, the main source of income comes from agriculture which is considered a labor job. During off-farming season, people get contractor jobs, and they return to do farming when it is in season. Thus, providing knowledge and skills will help them improve farming productivity. For physical capital, the study indicated that the poor households access public utilities, for example, road and electricity, apart from water service which is still lacking in some areas. It was also found that most people own land, house and plantation, however, its size varied according to their household. A small amount of land means less cultivation and less earning income. People need to find other jobs to earn more income to support their family. For economic capital, it is a significant capital for living. The major source of farmers’ income depends on crops and products; however, it is uncertain to cultivate well every season because of unstable weather conditions and natural disasters. The median price of agricultural products sometimes fluctuates which leads to income instability. People then need to find other jobs to earn enough for a living, for example, being seamstress, weaver, basket maker, repairman, construction worker and taxi driver; however, these hands-on jobs still require knowledge and skills. Some households considered these jobs as a significant source of household income while others depend on family members, the working age members who move to big cities for jobs and send money back to support the family. For natural capital, it refers to natural assets which people can take advantages of forests, soil, plants for a living, for instance, mushroom foraging, wild plant picking and fishing. Since Sakon Nakhon province locates in mountain area, people forage wild food and sell in local markets. For social capital, with Buddhism belief, people consider temples as a center of the community where people meet up and share things. The social capital in this area is an interdependent relationship; sharing belongings and helping each other in groups. However, when it comes to the local enterprises in the community, it is hard to gather members to run community businesses. People sometimes ignore this with the excuses of time, interest and skills. If the local enterprises were driven by the power of the community, fruitful results would happen, people would earn more income to support their households. 2. From the Kut Bak Model: Poverty management at the district level, the significant outputs from the district model consisted of
(1) A database system for implementing an application for verifying data, asking for help and delivering cases for further helps to government agencies in the areas. For example, District Administrative Organizations, Subdistrict Municipality, Subdistrict Administrative Organizations and Sakon Nakhon Chamber of Commerce.
(2) Innovative products for household consumption, consumer and business markets. A social enterprise chain concept was implemented. Starting from household farming of organic mushrooms and vegetables which the process was done based on the Pro–Poor value chain concept of the University Business Incubators (UBI), then having Organic Planting Community Enterprise mentor and position products in markets. The members also received training on entrepreneurship skills.
(3) At least 122 households, with approximately 500 household members, were trained to be knowledge workers; knowing to produce products from upstream, midstream to downstream.
(4) A social lab at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University where academic staff can join to conduct research, provide academic services and work with local communities by adopting the King’s philosophy to develop local community with social engineering approach.

This also represents the university’s identity as a university of opportunity for all. In addition, having a social lab is a sign to present what the university is working towards–the reinventing university with Community Integrated Learning (CIL) approach. Last, the outputs from the project lab provided academic records for researchers which can be used for the academic ranking requests. The project outcomes have influenced both social and economic aspects. For the social aspects, first, the findings showed that the households were able to produce soil conditioners, compost for household use and business, and they also processed other food products. Second, having records on purchases and sales provided households to understand customers’ needs, and be able to produce to serve market demand.Third, the project can solve household problems on a lack of plantations by arranging for people to plant on public land. Last, the households understood the mechanisms of the markets and could implement technology in household farming. For the economic aspect, public market rehabilitation after Covid-19 pandemic influences the economic aspect. Coming back of the local markets means businesses run in communities; people have places to sell household products. Moreover, household members saw an opportunity to earn a living during the off-season. Growing vegetables and selling them at local markets during the off-season, they quickly received returns for the households. It made them realize that growing vegetables also receive income and can do it all year round. Last, the project helped expand market channels and build market networks. Apart from selling products at local markets, they know how to sell products online and expand markets with other sellers. From there, they learned to produce more to serve market demand. In summary, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University received research funds to direct the project according to the Local Development Plan and the National Strategy Plan. The research project of “Development of Poverty Problem Solving Model in Kut Bak District, Sakon Nakhon Province” was proceed by Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University research team, working alongside with the Strategic Transformation Office and the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council, Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A). The main work involved developing a model for poverty management, an area-based management, which included guidelines, strategies and mechanisms. A pilot study in Kut Bak district, Sakon Nakon province, received an implementation of Kut Bak Model aiming to investigate the model validity and provide guidelines for the developed model. The findings helped develop and verify the model for further implementation in other areas.