Participatory action research for waste management of KSL River Kwai natural agriculture center, Kanchanaburi province, Thailand

Abstract

KSL River Kwai Natural Agriculture Center is a learning center for the implementation of sufficiency economic philosophy in agriculture by knowledge dissemination to students, government agencies, employees, companies, interested parties and the general public. The center consists of accommodation in the form of resort, agricultural garden and learning center. It found waste management still lack of effective management, discipline and responsibility, and members participation in the center. The results from three groups participation of researchers, community representatives, and staff of KSL River Kwai Natural Agriculture Center who were collaborated to diagnose common problems by providing brainstorming, meeting and to solve the problems. Waste banks, bio-composting, garbage potted plant processing and animal feed processing were involved in activities. As a result, there was a tendency to solve the problem of waste management efficiently. Members learned to work together. The amount of unused waste was compared before and after research action revealed highly significant (p <0.01) decreased from 544.62 kg./week to 51.63 kg./week. In addition, it promoted the quality of life for its members and being a source of knowledge for the community.