Measuring the effects of alternative agricultural methods and fair trade practices on the development of producer groups and their members in northern Thailand

This study examines the economic, social and environmental effects of alternative agriculture, traded through fair trade, on Thai producers. These effects are compared with those of conventional and mixed agriculture.;The research areas were the government project at Village Three, Pong Yang, and the non-governmental organisations project at San Pay Yang and San Lueng. The organisations involved are outlined, including labelling and certification issues.;Economic comparisons found alternative agriculture was a viable alternative to conventional and mixed agriculture when non-farm income and home consumption were included. However, the larger average size of alternative farms and the external funding of the organisations involved must be considered.;Social comparisons indicated that alternative agriculture results in educational and health benefits, compared to conventional agriculture. Environmental comparisons showed that on average alternative agriculture is the most integrated, with the lowest number of artificial agricultural inputs used, and the highest number of their alternatives applied.