Abstract

The study aimed to investigate operation of oil palm industry based on Green Economy concept. The conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry was established in accordance with Thailand’s context. Information was compiled via literature review on definition, meaning, concept, and theory of the Green Economy, and the oil palm industry, as well as interviews with 15 specialists, experts, scholars, farmers, and officials of relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.The information from the interviews was analyzed by grouping issues and content analysis, and description to obtain the conceptual framework. Then, the framework was assessed by specialists, experts, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives with expertise in oil palm, and farmers for implementation.

The study findings revealed that the application of the conceptual framework of the Green Economy for the oil palm industry consisted of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), economic development such as development of organic farming, management of yields and waste, social development such as better quality of life for farmers, higher negotiating power for farmers, equality; and environmental development such as balanced eco system, reduced impact on the environment, and use of environmental-friendly technology.

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