余剰米と出稼ぎ : タイ東北部ヤソートーン県の1村を対象として

Abstract

In Northeast Thailand, subsistence glutinous rice cultivation has been dominant due to the risky environment and the lack of irrigation. Recently, however, non-glutinous rice cultivation for the market has expanded in some parts. At the same time, seasonal migration, mostly to Bangkok and its suburbs, has become popular among farmers. The present study aims to quantify surplus rice production and to discuss the relationship between surplus rice and seasonal labor migration through a field survey at a village in Yasothon Province. Of the total harvested rice in the study village, 48% was sold out, 36% eaten, 2% taken out by seasonal emigrants, and 15% used for other purposes such as animal feed, barter, gifts and rents. Fifty-two percent of the villagers temporarily left the village, mainly for employment, and these consisted mainly of men aged 16-49 years and women aged 16-29 years. They leave the village during the slack season of rice cultivation, and return to the village during the planting and harvesting seasons. Besides providing cash income from employment, this seasonal migration saves in-village rice consumption, which accounts for about one half of the surplus rice. Therefore, seasonal labor migration, in addition to modern agricultural technology, has facilitated surplus rice production even with rainfed cultivation. This type of surplus production can be called as "migration-dependent" or "consumption-saving." These findings indicate that rural development projects are required to provide working-age villagers with income equal to or more than the income from working outside and rice saving, or to focus on non-leaving villagers. Agricultural mechanization can also be a target of rural development.