Food Security and Socio-economic Impacts of Soil Salinization in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impacts of soil salinity on the crop production system and to describe the food security and social and economic conditions in the salt- affected areas of Northeast Thailand. Ban Nong Na Woaw, Ban Phon Sim, and Ban Som Sanuk, all in the Northeast region of Thailand, were purposely selected because they had different salinity levels and different ecosystems. Random sampling method was used to select 90 households from the three villages and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from January to June 2012 using a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive methods. In all studied villages, the production system of rice among the farmers was not much different. Farmers used organic fertilizers and farmyard manure to alleviate salinity in their rice field. There were different types of agricultural and non-agricultural activities in the three studied villages practiced by the farmers in order to improve food security of their families. The average of rice yields was very low, about 1.5 ton/ha. The main income source was agricultural work among rural households. Domestic animals raised by most farm households in all villages were cattle, buffalo, pigs, chicken and crickets for home consumption and sale. In addition to salinity effects, periodic droughts, the heavy reliance on monsoons, lack of financial capital and low inputs uses were the other major constraints for the farmers in all villages. This finding suggests that farmers need to be advised to use farmyard manure and green manure in order to reduce salinity. But equally important is correct application and the timely use of urea fertilizer, better weeding, timely harvesting and proper threshing and winnowing. Since rice is the main source of livelihood for the farmers, extension agencies should provide farmers with financial and technical assistance such as salt tolerant rice varieties, knowledge and improved technologies.