Palm oil for biofuel production and its impact on food security : local and national level analysis in Thailand | |
| Author | Thapa, Neha |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-16-04 |
| Subject(s) | Palm oil--Thailand--Analysis Food security--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-16-04 |
| Abstract | Biofuels are the alternatives to nonrenewable fossil fuels. To overcome the future fuel crisis and to minimize the environment impact due to fossil fuel combustion (CO 2 emission), biofuel production was promoted. Thai government to overcome its objective to increase energy security and reduce dependency in fossil fuel through increased use of biofuel, introduced oil palm in Northeast Thailand since 2005. Both national and local level analysis was done considering the case study of one sub district. Fundamentally, availability of feedstock is the major constraining factor for bioenergy production. Incase of Thailand, country being a net exporter of oil palm, it has high potential for biodiesel production from oil palm feedstock. Based on country’s scenario 'decreasing trend in forest cover', rather than going for extensification of oil palm, Thailand should focus on intensification and change of crop. A contingent valuation survey was therefore conducted in order to obtain the factors influencing (socio - economic and institutional) decision in adoption of oil palm plantation. In addition, to deal with the large number of zero responses, Double - Hurdle model was presented. A double - hurdle model was used simultaneously to determine the probability of farmer ’s decision to adopt the new technology. Abreast it also determined extent of adoption based on area available. The extent of adoption were significantly influenced by socioeconomic factors like gender, age, education, labour availability and institutional factors like source of access to credit, training on oil palm plantation and extension service received from governmental organization. Food self - sufficiency and food security were mainly estimated using staple food from own production and market purchase. Findings of the study demonstrate no significant difference in calorie intake of oil palm farmers and non oil palm farmers, confirming that household food security level in study area was not dependent on adoption of oil palm, but it was significantly dependent on household landholding. Based on the findings, sets of recommendation are suggested to improve the outcome of AEDP policy target by enhancing the level of bioenergy feedstock production through increased level of inputs and utilization of unproductive land for bioenergy crops. Similarly, to increase the rate of adoption of oil palm cultivation young, educated farmers should be encouraged by providing training and they should be made accessible to the credit and extension services. |
| Year | 2016 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-16-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Jourdain, Damien |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad;Salam, Abdul P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 |