Sustainable Farming Systems Planning Using Goal Programming in Northern Thailand

Abstract

An increase in highland population, immigration from neighboring countries and the expansion of infrastructure in the northern part of Thailand have resulted in non-sustainable use of natural resources. In many places, forests have been converted to agricultural land. In addition, the fallow period of land use has been shortened. Also, land has been used intensively for agricultural purposes and the use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides has increased tremendously. As a result, degradation of natural resources such as soil erosion as well as the accumulation of pesticides and fertilizer, toxic to water and soils, has occurred, with an adverse impact on human health and living conditions. Moreover, highland farmers’ existing agricultural systems have changed in favor of market-oriented systems. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the conditions of sustainable farming systems in the highland areas of Thailand.