The Value Adding Innovation of Supply Chain of Cassava in Thailand

Abstract

            The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate the management of the cassava supply chain in Thailand: 2) to analyze the problems and obstacles pertaining to the management of the cassava supply chain in Thailand : and 3) to ascertain the importance of the supply chain in relation to the piecing of the cassava ; and 4) to offer recommendations for the innovation of value addition. The study was mixed in nature (quantitative and qualitative research methods) the study tool for the quantitative research method was a set of self-administered questionnaires, whereas the semi- structured interview guide was the study tool of the qualitative research method. 399 cassava planters in Nakhonratchasima province, Kanchanaburi province and Kamphaengphet province comprised the sample for the study in the case of the quantitative research and 9 key informants (cassava entrepreneurs) comprised the sample of the qualitative research. The data analysis has revealed the following facts: the cassava supply chain included importer government policy, export volume, harvesting period, quality of cassava roots, cassava yields, domestic demand, the government policy, price of substitution goods, and export price. All these factors had great influence on the pricing of cassava in Thailand. As for the management of the cassava supply chain, holistically considered, the following techniques should  be put into practice 1) creation of clusters of cassava from start to finish or establishment of the cassava cluster cooperative of Thailand. 2) The genetic engineering for use in creating the value addition innovation should be adopted.