ASSESSING SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FSC CERTIFIED RUBBER FARMERS AND THEIR ATTITUDES TO APPLY FSC STANDARDS IN RUBBER PLANTATION: A CASE STUDY IN THAILAND

The demand of the rubber woods and rubber latex certified by FSC is increasing in the international market day by day. However, in Thailand, a limited number of rubber farms are following the standards of FSC in rubber plantation. Moreover, majority of the rubber farmers still do not recognize the quality and value of FSC rubber plantations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the socio-economic characteristics of FSC certified smallholder rubber farmers in Thailand. The study also aims to examine the farmers' attitudes towards the implementation of FSC standards in rubber plantation in the country. To collect primary data, a survey was carried out in Rayong and Songkhla provinces of the country. Purposive sampling method was employed to select a total of 60 respondents among the farmers who received FSC certification, employed FSC standards in rubber plantation and sold FSC certified rubber woods in the market. Moreover, the study collected secondary data related to rubber farm households, registered rubber farms under FSC-RAOT project, rubber planted areas, tapped area, production and distribution of rubber woods and other issues. The study found that most of the farmers completed primary education, had experiences of rubber plantation for more than 30 years. The average household income of the farmers was estimated to 264,393.3 baht/year of which 135,419.5 baht/year comes from rubber plantation. The study revealed that the farmers follow the law and regulation of FSC in rubber plantation at medium level. It was also found that though half of the farmers (50%) show positive attitudes towards law & regulations of FSC