Sustainable livelihood outcomes, causal mechanisms and indicators self-determined by Thai farmers producing bioethanol feedstocks

Sustaining the growth of Thailand's bioethanol industry depends markedly on security of feedstock supplies. However, being exposed to crises may impact livelihoods of farmers and discourage them from farming the energy crops. Farmer livelihood sustainability may need to be assessed and monitored. This study was carried out to propose sustainable livelihood outcomes and indicators, and determine causal mechanisms to achieve such outcomes. The UNDP's sustainable livelihood framework was applied. A novel method of data collection, Participatory Process Tracing (PPT) was introduced through which farmers were able to identify achieved sustainable livelihood outcomes and indicators, and causal mechanisms to achieve the outcomes. A variety of sustainable livelihood outcomes primarily related to natural resources, sufficiency of food and income, and social inclusion were encountered by the group farmers. On the other hand, rice growing activity indicated that the solitary farmers were either achieving a single sustainable livelihood outcome of ‘own food production’ or not achieving any outcome at all. The results indicate that group formation is key to enhance farmer livelihood sustainability. There were 10 sustainable livelihood outcomes and 22 indicators proposed and agreed by all farmers for determination of livelihood sustainability. They were proved to be suitable and applicable to Thailand's context. The creation of a livelihood sustainability index based on these sustainable livelihood outcomes and indicators should be encouraged. Nevertheless, the results are sufficiently useful for stakeholders in understanding farmer livelihood outcomes, paths, interconnection and complexity; this can enable policymakers to formulate effective policies and programs.