The development process of urban agricultural networks to ensure urban food security in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand

ABSTRACT

The purpose study was to examine the process, results, factors affecting the development process of the Hat Yai urban agricultural network for food security, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, Thailand, using qualitative research. Participant observation, in-depth interviews, group discussions, and inductive data analysis were conducted. Data were collected from thirty-one participants. The study found that the process of agricultural network development consists of three stages: network formation, seeking cooperation, learning and integration. The results are reflected at the individual, group, and network levels, linking them to the sustainable development dimension. The positive factors affecting the development process are the urban context, common goals, organisational culture, management, and building trust. The negative factors include the nature of Hat Yai urban residents in the context of developing countries, resource inadequacy, and public policy. The recommendations involve having holistic and targeted local public policy regarding urban agriculture to establish sustainable urban food security.

KEYWORDS:

• Agricultural network
• self-reliance
• food security
• global south
• Thailand

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Orathai Paiyarat

Orathai Paiyarat is a doctoral candidate at the Population Education Program, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand. Her main research interests urban agricultural development, urban population quality development, and social project evaluation.

Uthaithip Jiawiwatkul

Uthaithip Jiawiwatkul is an associate professor at Population Education for Sustainable Development Program, Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand. Her main research interests concern population quality development, population well-being, ageing population and social programs evaluation.