Agricultural Sector Management by Local Communities: A Comparative Study between Thailand and Japan

Abstract

This study compares local community-based agricultural management models in Thailand and Japan. The primary objectives are to: (1) review relevant theoretical frameworks and literature; (2) analyze community agricultural management mechanisms in Japan; (3) examine comparable practices in Thailand; and (4) propose policy recommendations for improving local community agricultural governance in Thailand. The research is conducted primarily through the analysis of relevant documentary and electronic media. The literature review reveals that key theories, such as Self-governance, New Public Governance, and Participatory Governance, emphasise the necessity of granting autonomy to local communities and ensuring inclusive participation. A consistent finding is that genuine decentralization is a crucial determinant of success in effective agricultural management.

The analysis of Japan demonstrates that decentralization has empowered local authorities with independent decision-making authority, facilitating the establishment of community enterprises and fostering dynamic cooperation among the agricultural, business, and industrial sectors. In contrast, the management model in Thailand, despite promoting community grouping, is constrained by limited adoption of advanced technology and exhibits a relatively weak linkage with the industrial sector. Therefore, the development of Thailand’s agricultural management requires comprehensive decentralization reform to enable local communities to achieve autonomous self-governance. This must be accompanied by the proactive promotion of strategic partnerships with the business and industrial sectors and the systematic integration of digital technologies into agricultural management processes.