State Policy, Capital and Local Food System Transition: A Case Study of Spring Onion Smallholders in Ban Klang Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of state policy and capital in local food system transition in Ban Klang Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. Critical analysis is based on secondary historical and rural economic data, and empirical phenomena collected by qualitative research, including in-depth interviews, focus group meetings, and non-participant observation.

Results indicate the key role of state policy in ecosystem service and local food system activity evolution. State policy linked to international political economic organization systemically integrated capital and agribusiness groups as modern input suppliers as well multi-level systemic urbanization and market expansion as food distributors. Over the past 60 years, local food system transition incorporated rural areas as part of the modern food system and integrated smallholders into the long food supply chain. This system afforded smallholders higher income and increased options, as they confronted more complex challenges and limitations than in the past. These findings suggest that to develop stallholder potential for those risking vulnerability, conceptual and practical collaborative integration should be expected from stakeholders in all dimensions.