DESIGN THINKING FOR PARTICIPATORY ORGANIC FARMING COMMUNITY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Design thinking for participatory organic farming community product development is a study in contrast to community enterprises in U Thong District, Suphan Buri Province. The study objectives are: 1) to carefully study the design thinking process and develop community organic agricultural products with participation; 2) to sufficiently develop quality organic agricultural community products. Using mixed methods research by adopting the design thinking model in 5 steps: (1) empathize, (2) define, (3) ideate, (4) prototype, and (5) test, which is to be used as a specific guideline for the development of quality organic agricultural products, through the participatory management process from 13 local households and the Business Model Canvas (BMC). The research results show that design thinking in community enterprise development consists of two approaches. In common is the first approach to the product development process of dehydrated noodles, and the second approach is to develop a solar-powered insect trap. The analysis of the activities of the community enterprise group using design thinking to develop participatory organic agricultural products yielded suggestions for action as follows: 1). The design thinking approach of the enterprise group that must be implemented first is to make everyone aware and set the direction in the same way. This started by empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. To meet the needs of business operations that run into the target group by employing the process of empathy and defining it as a driver. 2). Design thinking should lead to logical extension and product development for target markets. By developing innovative products based on the potential of the group combined with the innovations made. For example, rice is prepared into dried rice noodles, made into rice porridge, and processed into other agricultural products which exist to create value. It can reach a wide range of customers using the ideation, prototype, and testing stages as a driver.