Area Needs

The Integrated Science, Research, and Innovation Plan for Sustainable Area-Based Development Project Phase 2 is a process of compiling data on needs and development approaches in science, research, and innovation at the local level. This is done through participatory engagement with development network partners. The project collects data from local areas to identify knowledge gaps in science, research, and innovation at the local level. This information is then integrated into various national development plans that align with local development goals.

The project aims to provide guidelines for science, research, and innovation development that drive collaboration with other agencies at both policy and local levels. It also supports the implementation of the Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) Plan for area-based development. This serves as a tool/mechanism to enhance the potential of local communities and helps them solve their own problems based on scientific data and knowledge in research and innovation.

The objectives of the project include

1.     Monitoring the status of knowledge gaps in science, research, and innovation (SRI) and local development needs by synthesizing data according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.
2.     Synthesizing information on the status of knowledge and SRI needs at the local level into articles and newsletters to communicate interesting findings or study results to the project’s strategic network partners.
3.     Gathering additional feedback from relevant parties and stakeholders which also includes brainstorming sessions on data utilization and exchanging ideas on developing mechanisms to drive and monitor the integration of science, research, and innovation for sustainable area-based development.

The Findings

The project key findings are categorized under three important aspects; social, economic and environmental issues. For social issues, we found out that aging society problems, access to and quality of education, especially in local contexts are the predominant ones. Modern violence and crime at all levels are still prevalent while family strength issues are continuously affecting child development. Social issues encompass other food security and malnutrition and even touch upon how community disaster preparedness is measured. On the other hand, economic issues are for example; low agricultural product values affecting farmers’ income and grassroots economy becoming weak due to a lack of necessary entrepreneurial skills and adaptability. The weak community economy also resulted from an inability of the local population to repay household debts, both formal and informal. This is also due to access to and management of resources and land tenure rights. Lastly, environmental issues involve but not exclusive to unsustainable agricultural practices impacting the environment, improper community waste management and low recycling rates. And it’s also comprehensible that the environmental issues are attributes of climate change impacts, indirectly affecting people through water-related disasters like floods and droughts, or directly impacting the farmers themselves. Industrial and transportation pollution are also persisting problems harming both the environment and the economies at all levels.

The Gaps

Moreover, six operational gaps were identified from the research in meeting local needs:

1.     Lack of integrated problem-solving at the policy level among relevant agencies, especially in using accurate data and knowledge
2.     Lack of processes for listening to local problems and involvement in determining research funding and resource allocation
3.     Lack of support systems for local communities to participate in research or knowledge production using local wisdom
4.     Lack of knowledge management and database creation to support various sectors in utilizing data and research
5.     Funding agencies lack monitoring and support systems for research that positively reinforces quality work and creates impactful research
6.     Lack of support for knowledge and tools to transfer innovations to communities for sustainable application and management

The implementation of science, research, and innovation mechanisms for sustainable area-based development has the potential to create a greater impact in the Southern border, Northern, and Northeastern regions compared to other areas in Thailand. This is due to their relatively lower development indicator status. However, when considering the potential for driving change based on the number of higher education institutions in each region, the Central, Northeastern, and Southern regions have the highest ratio of universities per province.

In terms of implementation, the Southern border, Northern, and Northeastern regions face more limitations in internet access compared to other regions. Therefore, there needs to be more channels for gathering opinions beyond internet-based methods. Regarding adult illiteracy rates, the Northern and Southern border regions have significantly high proportions. This implies that the process of driving science, research, and innovation must consider communication, opinion gathering, and implementation methods that do not leave these groups behind.

A Catalyst for Economic Stability

Now the answer to the question of what exactly an area-based development needs may lie in the foundation of such development itself. Considering the agricultural sector playing a crucial role in Thailand’s regional economies, particularly in developing areas where it often serves as the primary source of income and employment, the asea-based research outcome itself reveals that different parts of the country have quite varied development requirements. For example, while the Northern region needs better resource allocation covering issues of resource access rights, agricultural systems, and land tenure, the Southern region is in need of a boost in creative economy that builds immunity and reduces inequality.

Therefore, promoting socially and environmentally friendly agriculture, value-added processing of agricultural products, and agricultural marketing remains essential. Furthermore, experts from various sectors believe that for many areas to achieve sustainability in the future, it is not only necessary to integrate technology, but these areas must also prioritize developing a quality workforce capable of utilizing those technologies and innovations across different sectors, whether in agriculture, industry, or services, including tourism. In addition to enhancing Thailand’s global competitiveness, technology plays a crucial role in ensuring industries are environmentally friendly and do not negatively impact the lives of local communities.

Education as a Pillar of Sustainable Development

In tandem with agricultural development, education emerges as a fundamental component of sustainable growth. The Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) Plan for area-based development would help identify educational gaps that hinder the effective implementation of sustainable practices in agriculture. For instance, training programs focused on sustainable farming techniques can empower local farmers with the knowledge needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions. A successful example of this approach is seen in initiatives that combine agricultural education with community engagement. By involving local populations in the development of educational programs, stakeholders can ensure that the training is relevant and tailored to the specific needs of the community. This participatory approach not only enhances the effectiveness of educational initiatives but also fosters a sense of ownership among community members.