Rice and food security amidst agricultural transformation in the highlands of northern Thailand

Transformation of the highlands of northern Thailand holds lessons for agricultural development in other parts of the world, especially for the agroecosystems that sustain local populations while also providing critical ecological services. This article aims to highlight these lessons, by reviewing agricultural changes in the region from the final decades of the 20 th century, especially for rice and food security. The traditional practices that have endured over time are also acknowledged in this review. The paper begins with a description of the highlands and local agriculture before the change, followed by an examination of changes in crop production after the abolition of opium cultivation. The economic integration of highland agriculture is then discussed. The agriculture in the highlands has largely shifted from subsistent to commercial production, in response to demand from the lowlands and facilitated by an integration of the highlands into Thailand’s national economy and the global market. The roles played by financial support and subsidies have been relatively minor. Productivity growth was driven by technological innovations such as high yielding hybrid maize, rubber adapted to cooler and drier environments. These activities have been carried out along with the use of fertilizers and other purchased inputs, as well as the exploitation of cooler temperatures at higher elevations for growing temperate crops. Essential technical support, market and price stability for some crops have been provided by contract farming. However, subsistence rice production remains central to food security for many communities. Wetland rice accounts for only about 20% of the annual highland rice area and 30% of total paddy production, upland rice plays a dominant role in highland food security, despite yielding only 50–70% of what wetland rice produces. The crucial roles in forest management and conservation played by highland communities and farmers should be recognized. The problem of air pollution caused by residue burning in highland maize production urgently requires practical solutions. The transformation of highland agriculture in northern Thailand may provide important lessons for agricultural development worldwide, especially in balancing local livelihoods and ecological services.