The Role of Farmers in Forest Management Through Sustainable Coffee Cultivation in Agroforestry Systems

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the role of farmers in forest management through sustainable coffee cultivation within agroforestry systems. This study primarily employed a documentary research methodology, collected and analyzed both primary and secondary sources, including legislation, academic articles, institutional reports, and theses. The selection of documents was carried out based on Scott’s criteria, comprising 14 Thai-language sources and 11 foreign-language sources, to evaluate the credibility and authenticity of the data. The findings revealed that coffee cultivation within agroforestry systems played a crucial role in conserving natural resources and enhancing farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. In particular, Arabica coffee grown in the highland areas of Northern Thailand was internationally recognized for its quality. Farmers contributed economically through value addition and certification processes, socially through the formation of cooperative groups and collective management, and environmentally through the adoption of conservation agricultural techniques and soil-water restoration practices. A case study of Ban Mae Hang in Chiang Rai Province illustrated the success of forest restoration through sustainable coffee cultivation. This research highlighted that agroforestry-based coffee systems represented a viable and balanced approach to forest conservation and community development.

Keywords: agroforestry, role of farmers, sustainable coffee cultivation