Public Policy Implementation : A Case Study of Paddy Subsidy Scheme in the Upper Central Province Group 2 (Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong)

Abstract

This qualitative research aims (1) to study the process of putting the Paddy Subsidy Scheme into practice and (2) to find suggestions and suitable ways for the government in helping the farmers in the Upper Central Province Group 2 area. Data were collected by studying related documents, making in-depth interviews with 25 important informants comprising policy makers, provincial commerce officers, provincial internal trade officers, provincial agriculture officers, manager of the Bank for Agriculture and Cooperatives, rice mill owners, farmers in the Upper Central Province Group 2 area, and organizing a focus group discussion of 11 people comprising provincial commerce officers, provincial agriculture officers, rice mill owners and others whose contexts were related to the research. Data triangulation was employed for verification. Data analysis was done by using content analysis technique. Findings were as follows: (1) The process of putting the Paddy Subsidy Scheme into practice of the Upper Central Province Group 2 was consistent with that of the production year 2013/2014 with factors affecting successes and failures of putting the Paddy Subsidy Scheme of the production year 2013/2014 into practice as follows: (2) Suggestions and ways for the government to suitably help the farmers in the Upper Control Province Group 2 area can be specified as the SMART Model as follows: SUPPORT, referring to caring and helping the farmers. MARKET, referring to creating the market and security standard. Area, referring to zoning. Resource, referring to procuring resources and creating participation of farmers. Team, referring to government working groups to co-ordinate promotion work in the same direction.