Development of a High-Value Agricultural Product Cluster to Increase Income for Rural Farmers: Case Study of Bresse Chicken Cluster in Northern Thailand

Type Journal Article - Kasetsart Journal Social Sciences
Title Development of a High-Value Agricultural Product Cluster to Increase Income for Rural Farmers: Case Study of Bresse Chicken Cluster in Northern Thailand
Author(s)
Volume 34
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://kasetsartjournal.ku.ac.th/kuj_files/2013/A1311251506140625.pdf
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to reveal the success factors of a high-value crop cluster which provides
additional income to farmers in remote areas. The Bresse chicken cluster managed by the Royal Project
Foundation was selected as a case study due to its high potential. The actors, their roles and benefits as well as
the performance of the cluster to help farmers overcome constraints and enhance abilities to compete in the
market were investigated. Data were collected from the reports of the Royal Project Foundation and from
stakeholders by using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The results from the study showed that
the outputs of the cluster are not just an increase in farmers’ income, but also the achievement of capabilities.
The major success factors for long term clustering are the presence of a strong functioning network and
partnership among the stakeholders. These result from the platform opening for vision sharing and research
being conducted by the stakeholders, the personality traits and competencies of a cluster engineer, and the
equality of benefits provided to stakeholders involved in the cluster. Continual knowledge support from
academic organizations as well as good functioning of knowledge sharing in the cluster are also key success
factors.

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