Off-farmer employment and farming systems adjustment

Off-farm employment in northeast, Thailand has been increasing due to expansion in industrial and service industries, as indicated by an increase in wage rate and labor scarcity in agriculture in certain locations. This study aimed to assess current situation of off-farm employment and their decisions in their farming systems under labor scarced situation. The datas were collected from interviewing 120 households in 6 districts of Khon Kaen province. About 54 percent of the farm labour engaged in off-farm employment mainly to increase their income. In rainfed areas, slack labor during dry season caused seasonal migration. Off-farm employment pattern were varied by locations e.g. communal workers were found in villages with industrial plants nearby and incidentally it was also an irrigated area. In most rainfed areas, seasonal migration which could turn to be permanent were also found. Seasonal migration in group were found as sugar cane workers to the central plain. Major impacts on existing farming systems wereincrease cash flows which in many cases shown a direct effect on farm investment ranged from increaseuse of labor saving implementsland implementsleveling and purchase more land. In studied areas in Khon Kaen province, farmers changed from transplanting to broadcasting rice, mainly to save labor. The cost of broadcasting reduced by 50 percent while the output was the same under normal rainfall condition. In irrigated areas, it was found that commuted workers were able to increase productivity by working in their farm before and after going to work outside the village and hires labor were paid by piece rate which increase labor efficiency. In village where commuted labor were predominant, group of farmers, mostly women, started vegetable farming in response to increase food demand in the village. In addition to farming adjustment, there were impact to community that village were left with young children and elders. These could lead to a negative impact on village household livelihood, health status of villagers and village development process.