Discussion
Factors influencing technology adoption
The empirical results offer evidence to address the study’s two main research questions. Considering RQ1 (factors influencing technology adoption), the farm household survey reports adoption of a range of agricultural technologies, many of which have led to profound social, economic and environmental change. The survey also shows that adoption has been mediated primarily by DTDP, which is considered the most trusted and authoritative source of advice, and in some cases, the only source cited. Although monetary drivers (buyer needs, cost reduction, higher market price, and reduced production risk) were most frequently reported as the primary reason for adoption, non-monetary reasons (peer pressure, protection of the environment) were also important. Moreover, collective implementation of some technologies suggests a long-term perspective among farmers, in keeping with the project’s sustainable development philosophy.
The second research question RQ2 concerns DTDP’s institutional interventions and their modality; the study has identified a range of specific institutions that influence technology adoption via three primary modalities: risk reduction, knowledge provision and welfare enhancement (see Table 4: Typology of institutional interventions at DTDP). DTDP’s risk-reducing interventions serve to shift the burden of risk borne by individual farmers to the project itself until innovations (both technological and market) are deemed to be viable and sustainable for farmers to bear individually. Such risks include production risks, technology risks and market risks. The project’s collective approach also reduces perception of risk among farmers, increasing confidence and encouraging individual adoption. Secondly, in regard to land tenure, although land occupants cannot hold legal land title due to the area’s status as a forest reserve, the project guarantees and protects usufruct rights for occupants by issuing its own land registration certificates based on cadastral survey, along with project identity cards. Such security would be expected to incentivize long-term maintenance of soil fertility and environmental conservation by farmers. Thirdly, by offering a guaranteed market for produce, market risk is eliminated, though a number of growers choose to exercise their right to sell to external buyers. Knowledge-providing interventions enhance farmers’ capacity to access technologies, increase productivity and make informed choices between farm and off-farm employment. DTDP’s extensive external linkages both in Thailand and within the international development community provide access to a rich pool of expertise and technology, facilitating delivery of advice and technical support to beneficiaries. Most fundamentally, public welfare services (health, education and infrastructure) form an essential prerequisite for development, justifying the early introduction of basic ‘welfareenhancing’ measures in DTDP’s first phase.